A man, Abideen, has told a Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, reasons he ran away from home and no longer interested in his marriage to his wife, Bashirat, claiming she is stubborn, rebellious and once threatened to pour acid on him.
Abideen said his wife never respected him as the head of the home, often disobeyed him and picked fights over trivial matters.
According to him, “My lord, I have moved out of our home because my wife threatened to pour acid on me.
“She has refused to be submissive to me as the head of the home despite the fact that I paid her bride price.
“My wife is stubborn and never ready to listen to me. She argues over trivial issues and is always ready to fight me.
“She shouts on top of her voice when quarrelling with me, thus disturbing our neighbours who regard us as nuisance.
“The more I complain about her uncultured nature the worse she becomes. I am no longer a happy man since she moved into my house.
“I want to pick up the pieces of my life. I, therefore, pray that our union be dissolved. I also entreat the court for our children’s custody.”
But Bashirat denied the allegations. While she agreed to a divorce, she rejected her husband’s request for custody of their children.
She told the court: “My lord, my husband lied that he paid my bride price. He impregnated me while we were dating and I moved in with him.
“My husband is irresponsible. I feed him and our children from the proceeds of my business and he doesn’t feel ashamed. All he knows how to do is to brag that he is the head of the home and demands to be respected.
“My lord, he forced me to wear hijab and cover my body against my will. He did not tell me this while we were dating.
“I refuse that he had our children’s custody. He cannot take care of them. I am the one feeding the home and training our children in school.”
The court president, Mrs. S. M. Akintayo, adjourned the case after hearing from both parties.