Customary Court in Lagos
was recently turned into a
drama stage when a couple
appeared before the court
for the dissolution of their
nine-year-old marriage.
The couple, Emmaunel Adegbola and Olufunke, made
allegations and counter allegations of infidelity and rape
Emmanuel alleged that Olufunke was unfaithful and as
such, he wanted a divorce, but the wife, in a counter
move, alleged that her estranged husband was fond of
raping her anytime she was not in the mood to make love.
In his judgment, the court president, Mr R. I. Adeyeri,
said it appeared that the estranged couple were tired of
the marriage and love had been lost since all efforts to
reconcile both parties had failed.
“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of the
marriage, the court has no choice but to dissolve the union.
Both parties are no longer husband and wife. They are
free to go their separate ways,” he said.
The court further ruled that the issue of custody of their
four children, aged between four and eight years,
including a set of twins, should be referred to the family
court within the Lagos Judicial Division.
It also ordered Emmanuel to pay N50,000 as
rehabilitation cost to his wife.
63-year-old Emmanuel, in his petition, filed on June 26,
2013, had asked for the dissolution of his nine-year-old
marriage for alleged infidelity on the part of his wife.
He alleged that his wife was having an affair and that her
lover always came to his their house whenever he
(Adegbola) travelled out of Lagos on business.
“My wife was harbouring her boyfriend in the house I
rented for her. Anytime I went there unannounced, I
always met the man. My wife was unable to give a
satisfactory answer on who he is or his mission in my
house.”
He alleged further that his wife started threatening his
business by setting up the same business close to his
business address and was diverting his customers to her
shop.
“Initially, I told her that we should start a pure water
business together, she told me she was not interested.
But later, she opened her own pure water business
without my consent, snatching all my customers and this is
is now affecting my own business,” he said.
He added that his wife was no more cooking for him, as
she would complain of tiredness, and “that I should go
and cook for myself.”
But 40-year-old Olufunke didn’t let this go unchallenged.
She not only denied the allegations but also told the court
that the man her husband used to see in her house, was
her brother and she was not having an affair with any man.
She stated further that she was not threatening her
husband’s business but was forced to set up her own
business because her husband was not paying her salary
but was using her as a slave.
“My husband was only using me as a slave, he was not
giving me money. He and his first wife were sharing the
proceeds from the business,” she said.
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