Divorce-seeking woman accuses husband of luring her into fruitless marriage

A divorce-seeking woman, Taiwo Olaniyan on Thursday begged a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her five-year-old union to her estranged husband, Michael on grounds of deception and childlessness.

Olaniyan, a trader, lamented that in spite of receiving a 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 from another woman before marrying me but he never for 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 the court when he was called to state his own side of the matter.

The bailiff explained that he had served hearing notices on the respondent on a number of occasions, but he deliberately chose not to make an 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 life of the petitioners henceforth.