A woman identified as Omoladun has told a Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, that her husband, Tijani, failed to provide care and support for their children and was largely absent from the family.

Omoladun made the allegations while seeking an end to her relationship with Tijani, whom she accused of neglect, physical assault and domestic violence.

According to her, she was solely responsible for feeding the children, teaching them values and attending to their everyday needs because her husband rarely stayed at home.

She described him as a “figurehead” in the family, alleging that he failed to perform his responsibilities as the head of the household and breadwinner.

The woman further told the court that whenever Tijani returned home, their relationship was often marked by arguments and quarrels, which she alleged sometimes ended with him physically assaulting her.

She also claimed that Tijani once abandoned the family for about four years without informing them of his whereabouts.

Omoladun said she later learnt that her husband had married another woman, who subsequently had a child for him.

According to her, Tijani eventually returned but allegedly resumed the behaviour that had previously caused problems in their relationship.

She told the court that she had become frustrated with the situation and eventually asked him to stop paying the rent and stay away from the residence.

Omoladun therefore asked the court to grant her custody of their children and direct Tijani to contribute to their feeding, education and healthcare.

She also requested an order preventing him from harassing, threatening or interfering with her privacy.

Husband Makes Counter-Allegations

Tijani agreed that the relationship should come to an end but made serious allegations against his wife.

He accused Omoladun of being careless and claimed that she once used a hot knife to burn the buttocks of their seven-year-old son after the child allegedly took meat from a cooking pot.

He claimed the incident left the child with a deep wound.

Tijani also alleged that another child sustained an injury after the child’s foot became trapped in a bicycle spoke while Omoladun was taking the child out.

He told the court that the child’s foot remained deformed as a result of the incident.

The allegations made by both parties were presented during the proceedings and should not be regarded as established facts beyond what the court determined.

Court Gives Judgment

In her judgment, the court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, held that there was no customary marriage to dissolve because the required customary marriage rites had not been performed.

The court also noted that no bride price had been paid.

Despite this, the court granted Omoladun custody of the children and ordered Tijani to take responsibility for their upkeep.

The court further issued an order restricting Tijani from harassing, threatening or interfering with Omoladun’s privacy.