A cleric, David Odeniyi, has prayed the Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve his union with his estranged wife, Bolanle, on grounds of domestic violence and constant embarrassment in church.
Recounting his ordeal before the court, Mr Odeniyi, who resides in the Basorun area of Ibadan, accused his wife of being ill-tempered.
”She pulls and drags my trousers in order to disgrace me,” said Mr Odeniyi. ”Had I known that my wife would treat me like this, I would have never married her.”
The cleric accused his wife of abandoning their only child and travelling to Libya, where she has resided for two years.
“In fact, she stripped me naked in front of my congregation and maliciously exposed the secret I kept with her.
“Worst still, Bolanle usually prevents visitors from seeing me; she poisoned my food and kicked me in the stomach,” Mr Odeniyi said.
He argued that he once filed a divorce suit against her at a Grade ‘C Customary Court in the Gate area of Ibadan, but that the court reconciled them then.
He contended that the respondent refused to turn a new leaf.
However, Ms Bolanle was not in court when she was called to open her defence despite being around and witnessing her husband’s testimony.
The bailiff also said he served her several hearing notices and that she chose to ignore further appearances.
Delivering judgement, the court’s president, S.M. Akintayo, said Mr Odeniyi was no longer interested in the marriage, though there was a valid customary marriage between him and Ms Bolanle based on the evidence before the court.
Ms Akintayo added that the court admits any piece of uncontroverted evidence, especially as the respondent failed to appear in court.
She granted the order restraining Ms Bolanle from threatening, harassing, disturbing, and interfering in the private life of Mr Odeniyi.
