Super Eagles forward Kayode Olarenwaju has told the FCT High Court to grant him N1 billion in damages against UK-based pastor Tobi Adegboyega for the emotional trauma, financial loss, and loss of goodwill caused by the cleric’s alleged sexual relationship with his estranged wife Ezinne.
Olarenwaju also asked the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of the children.
Ezinne had filed a suit after Olarenwaju alleged she had extramarital affair with the clergyman.
In the suit dated March 20, 2024, Ezinne accused Olarenwaju of making baseless allegations of infidelity and witchcraft against her and her mother, adding that Olarenwaju damaged her phone in the process.
She said, “Upon arriving from Turkey personally and without prior notice to his wife or children, the Respondent rained abuses on the Petitioner and her mother, making baseless accusations of infidelity and witchcraft and trying to force the Petitioner out of her matrimonial home. In the process, the Respondent smashed the Petitioner’s iPhone 15 pro-Max beyond repair.”
However, in a cross-petition filed on July 1, 2024, the Super Eagles striker accused Ezinne of repeatedly committing adultery with the UK-based pastor and other men since their marriage in 2013, PUNCH reports on Monday.
Ezinne and the UK-based pastor are the respondents and co-respondent in Olarenwaju’s cross-petition.
The Super Eagles striker also claimed in his cross-petition that his estranged wife kidnapped their children, who were later rescued by the Department of State Services personnel.
He said, “Whilst the Cross Petitioner was still trying to get his facts right and phantom a means to have all the lingering issues resolved, the Respondent, under the guise of going to church on March 24, 2024, abducted the children of the marriage and absconded to an unknown location in Abuja.”
The respondent then informed his lawyer to write a petition to the DSS regarding the abduction of the children of the marriage.
“Pursuant to the aforesaid Petition, the DSS was able to track the location of the Respondent and got her arrested with the children of the marriage in her hideout somewhere in Brains and Hammers Estate, Abuja. The Respondent was subsequently granted bail,” it added.
Olanrewaju accused his estranged wife of undermining their joint business ventures.
On why the court should grant him the custody of the children, Olarenwaju said, “The Respondent is not bothered with the educational and mental well-being and stability of the children of the marriage as the same is evident in her actions by having romantic and sex-related discussions with the Co-Respondent and other men in the presence of the children. Indeed, her absconding with the children whilst school is in session without regard to academics leaves much to be desired.”
The matter has been slated for hearing on September 24, 2024.
