A customary court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the five-year marriage between Kayode and his wife, Michelle, after the husband accused her of excessive drinking, persistent clubbing and irresponsible conduct.
The Grade A Customary Court, sitting in Mapo, granted Kayode’s request to end the union after Michelle failed to appear before the court to respond to the allegations levelled against her.
Kayode told the court that the couple had remained childless despite trying different approaches, including medical and spiritual interventions, to have a child.
He alleged that instead of being concerned about their inability to conceive, Michelle became a regular visitor to nightclubs, where she allegedly drank excessively.
The petitioner said he repeatedly complained about her lifestyle and attempted to persuade her to change, but claimed his efforts only made matters worse.
Kayode disclosed that they got married in April 2020 after he paid N25,000 as bride price, adding that he began noticing what he described as irresponsible behaviour from his wife shortly after the marriage.
He said he had reached the point where he could no longer cope with the situation or the embarrassment he claimed her conduct had caused him, prompting him to seek the dissolution of the marriage.
Although Michelle had been served with court summonses, she did not attend the proceedings or present evidence to counter her husband’s claims.
In her ruling, the court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, said the payment of bride price confirmed the existence of a valid customary marriage. She held that Kayode’s testimony had not been challenged and showed that the relationship had broken down.
The court consequently dissolved the union and declared that the parties had ceased to be husband and wife.