‘My husband punishes me whenever I deny him s*x’

Tosin, 33, of 8, Onisinla Bank Road, Ado-Ekiti, alleged that her husband was fond of beating her, adding that each time they fought, he would throw her belongings out. The mother of two told the court that she could no longer withstand the persistent maltreatment by her man, Ayodeji Rabiu. She alleged that Ayodeji had been beating her since they wedded, adding that she thought he would change. The petitioner said there was a day she went to the market and he threw out her personal effects before she returned. She added that when she begged him to allow her pack the remaining items, he beat her up and seized her phone. Tosin said she called her grandmother to intervene, but he locked the door and she forced the door open and asked for her phone, but he refused to give it to her. She said they fought and he ordered her grandmother out of the house. The woman said they fought regularly because he refused to give her feeding allowance. She said each time she denied him sex; he would not give her money to cook. The petitioner said she heard that her children were staying with her mother-in-law, adding that they would not enjoy good care. “I pray this court to divorce us and give me the custody of my children, namely Rabiu Fathia, nine, female and Rabiu Faidat, three, female. Ayodeji, 37, of 42, Omisanjana Street, Ado-Ekiti, denied beating his wife constantly, but admitted that he beat her once. He said she was temperamental, adding that she was fond of fighting co-tenants and even landlords. “This is why we are always ejected.” The respondent alleged that his wife was in the habit of committing adultery. He denied disgracing her, saying she instead abused and disgraced him. Ayodeji said he supported the dissolution of the union and sought the custody of the children. The court President, Mrs. Olayinka Akomolede, held that the marriage had broken up irretrievably and consequently dissolved it. She gave the custody of the children to the petitioner, saying the respondent should be responsible for their upkeep. Akomolede ordered that the respondent should pay N3,000 each on the children as their feeding allowance. Access was granted to him to see his children.]]>