A divorce-seeking woman, Taiwo Olaniyan, begged a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan on Thursday to dissolve her five-year-old union with her estranged husband, Michael, on grounds of deception and childlessness.
Olaniyan, a trader, lamented that, despite receiving the normal bride price and other essential things from her husband, he did not inform her that he had a child from another wife he had married earlier.
“After exchanging marital vows with Michael in August 2019, I discovered that he had health challenges as far as fertility is concerned.
“I’ve waited enough for things to change, but the situation has remained the same.
“Worst still, Michael had a child with another woman before marrying me, but he never once mentioned it.
“My lord, I no longer trust him; I cannot continue with the deceit; I’ve waited enough,” Olaniyan lamented.
However, Michael was not in court when he was called to state his side of the matter.
The bailiff explained that he had served hearing notices on the respondent on several occasions, but he deliberately chose not to make any appearance.
Delivering judgment, the court’s president, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, held that there was a valid customary marriage between Olaniyan and Michael, going by the evidence adduced by the petitioner.
Akintayo consequently dissolved the union since Olaniyan said she was no longer interested in the relationship.
She granted the order restraining the respondent from harassing, threatening, and interfering in the personal lives of the petitioners henceforth. (NAN)
