In a dramatic divorce proceeding at the Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, tensions reached a boiling point as a man, Sule, presented serious accusations against his wife, Balikis.
Sule, who filed the suit, is seeking an end to their marriage, citing his wife’s alleged irresponsibility, drunken behavior, and violent tendencies.
Sule, a resident of Ibadan, told the court that he had initially provided Balikis with N50,000 to start a business, but claimed she squandered the money.
He further accused her of abandoning all domestic duties, leaving him to fend for himself and their home.
The plaintiff went on to describe a troubling pattern of behavior, saying that Balikis would drink excessively, causing disturbances in their home, including wetting their apartment with urine.
The situation, according to Sule, escalated to physical violence. He stated that whenever he confronted his wife, she would lock him inside their apartment and proceed to beat him severely.
Fearing for his safety, Sule admitted that he had come to court to prevent a potentially fatal outcome, saying he was in constant fear for his life.
Aside from seeking a divorce, Sule made an emotional plea for custody of the couple’s only child, vowing to provide a better and safer environment for the child.
He also asked the court for an injunction to prevent Balikis from interfering with his life or making any further threats.
In response, Balikis, who did not oppose the divorce, offered her own set of accusations.
She claimed that Sule had been neglectful, providing her with only N200 per day for food while hoarding food and soup for himself.
She also accused him of emotionally neglecting her, saying that he had multiple women throughout their marriage, only to discard them after a few years.
Sule, in his evidence, said, “My wife and I started living together as husband and wife after we met and courted for a few months.
“We did not hold a marriage ceremony; neither did I pay her bride price.
“In order that my wife was not idle, I gave her the sum of N50, 000 to start a business, but Balikis, to my surprise, squandered it.
“She could not give an account till date of how she spent it.
“My wife never stops disgracing me.
“All our co-tenants and almost everyone in our neighbourhood know that she is drunk.
“My wife would go out without my consent and return home drunk.
“She misbehaves when in this state.
“She would lock me up in the room and descend on me with punches for daring to rebuke her.
“Balikis is in the habit of urinating all over our apartment and also in bed.
“Both the mattress and the whole apartment stink as a result of her urine.
“I came to court that it might separate us before she kills me as a result of her constant beating.
“I also request an order restraining her from threatening and interfering with my private life.”
Balikis responded, “I am ready to leave him.
“He once had many wives in his harem, but almost every one of them has left because of his maltreatment of them.
“He has been starving me since we got married.
“He hides foodstuff and soup in his room and gives me just N200 per day for food.
“I have been fending for myself because he cares less about my welfare.”
