An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday dissolved a 20-year-old marriage between Mrs Abosede Lawal and her husband Demola due to the husband’s insanity.
The petitioner, Abosede Lawal had filed an application seeking divorce from her husband over his mental sickness, threat to her life and irresponsible acts.
She said that her husband, Demola, whom she married 20 years ago, had mental sickness that she discovered after she had her first baby.
“My husband is mentally sick, I have stayed with him for 20 years, thinking he would get well, he always exhibits his madness by destroying our household items and misbehaving.
“I discovered after I had my first baby but I decided to stay praying to God to cure him of the illness,” Abosede, a dress designer said.
The petitioner also accused her husband of always threatening her life with acid and dangerous weapons.
“My husband brought acid home and he always threatens to pour it on me saying that he wanted to disfigure me so that I will look unattractive to people,” she added.
The mother of five described Demola as an irresponsible husband and father.
“My husband refused to take care of the family. I pay our bills because anytime I asked him for feeding money or the children’s school fees, he beats me up.
“He had sent me out of my matrimonial home on many occasions, sometime I will spend two years or more with my mother before returning home,” Abosede said.
The respondent, Mr Demola Lawal, a 47 year old mechanic, accepted the allegation of insanity.
He said that his wife wanted him to divorce her because of his sickness.
“My wife wanted to quit our marriage just because of my state of health, I believe God will heal me one day,” Demola said.
He confessed to beating up his wife because, according to him, she was dating their landlord.
Demola claimed that he was only using the acid to threaten her but that he never meant to harm her with it.
Delivering his judgment, the president of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan said that it appeared that the estranged couple were tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile both parties had failed.
“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.
“The couple can no longer stay together because the marriage has broken down totally, both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways.
“Both parties are to keep peace all the time, any violation of the order should be reported to the police for redress.” Oyekan ruled.
