An auto spare parts dealer, Olawale Idowu has approached a Grade A Customary Court at Mapo, Ibadan to seek a dissolution of his 13-year-old marriage to his ‘abusive wife’, Yemisi.

Idowu, a resident of No. 25, Okeolode, in the Aremo area of Ibadan told the court on Friday that he no longer wishes to be married on the grounds of constant violence.

According to the distraught husband, the woman slaps him at will and tears his clothes during domestic misunderstandings.

He told the court that he had to leave his house for Yemisi in December 2023 due to her abusive nature and he regrets marrying the woman.

“My lord, in spite of my relentless endurance in our matrimony, Yemisi remained troublesome. In fact, I abandoned the house to her on December 16, 2023 when she violently attacked me in the midnight. Yemisi slaps me and tears my clothes at will,” he said.

The applicant said that when his partner was served a notice to appear before the court, she tore the summons and threw it at him. He tendered the torn clothes and the summons as exhibit.

Responding to the allegations levelled against her, Yemisi stated that she was convinced her husband abandoned her for another woman.

“It is true that there was a midnight fight between both of us in December. Idowu’s mother was aware of all that took place, rather than resolve the matter amicably for us, she threatened to deal with me. My mother in-law called in the Police and I was arrested,” she said.

The court’s President, S.M. Akintayo held that there was no evidence of presentation of bride price, and as such there was no marriage to be dissolved between Idowu and Yemisi because same never existed in the first place.

Idowu had prayed for custody of their kids to be granted him, but President of the court awarded custody of the three children in the union to Yemisi.

She directed Yemisi never to deny Idowu access to the children in addition to being jointly responsible for their welfare, education and other necessities.

Akintayo ordered the couple to go their separate ways. She also granted the order restraining Yemisi from threatening, harassing, disturbing and interfering in Idowu’s private life, henceforth.