Oluwatoyin Ibikunle, a 32-year-old trader and mother of three, has approached an Akure Customary Court to seek the dissolution of her 15-year marriage due to ongoing physical abuse from her husband, Ayodeji, a 40-year-old vulcanizer.
In her testimony, Oluwatoyin revealed that her father-in-law advised her to end the marriage and allegedly offered her N50,000 in exchange for a relationship with him.
She told the court that her husband has treated her as a “punching bag.”
“He’s irresponsible and continually threatens my life,” she stated. “I can’t endure it any longer.” She also disclosed that Ayodeji has humiliated and harassed her on numerous occasions.
The petitioner explained that her husband once insisted she leave their home under the pretext of renovating the apartment.
“I moved out purposely because I could no longer withstand his beatings. My father-in-law even urged me to leave the marriage due to the suffering I’m enduring,” she added.
She alleged that her father-in-law had even proposed to her, offering ₦50,000 in return for an affair.
Furthermore, she claimed that her husband has left her to bear all financial responsibilities.
Oluwatoyin pleaded with the court, “The love is gone. I want custody of my children to provide them with a proper upbringing.”
‘She is Wayward’
In response, Ayodeji refuted the allegations, labelling his wife as wayward and claiming she values her business and relationships over their family.
“My wife left our home and rented an apartment. I attempted to reconcile, but she insisted on a refund for the rent she paid to the new landlord,” he explained.
“I managed to pay ₦15,000 of the ₦20,000 she demanded, but she still refused to return. I can’t live without her. All she cares about is her business and her affairs with other men.”
The court’s president, Magistrate Abiodun Obademi, urged the couple to reconsider their decision for the sake of their children and to restore peace within the family.
Magistrate Obademi then adjourned the hearing to January 28.
[VANGUARD]
