A man identified as Sarafatu has accused his wife, Rashidat, of infidelity, alleging that she became pregnant for another man while still married to him.
Sarafatu made the allegation before the Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, after his wife filed a petition seeking the dissolution of their marriage.
Rashidat had approached the court, citing neglect, frequent quarrels, alleged domestic violence and threats to her life as reasons for seeking an end to the union.
She told the court that marrying Sarafatu was one of the biggest mistakes she had made in her life, alleging that she had known little or no peace since the beginning of their marriage.
According to her, her husband allegedly failed to take adequate responsibility for the welfare of the family, leaving her to shoulder the burden of providing for their children.
Rashidat alleged that Sarafatu regularly left the family without sufficient food, claiming that their children sometimes appeared malnourished as a result.
She said she had been working extensively to make up for what she described as her husband’s failure to meet his responsibilities at home.
The petitioner also accused Sarafatu of being impatient and turning disagreements into physical confrontations.
Rashidat alleged that her husband frequently assaulted her during arguments, leaving her with injuries and making life in the marriage unbearable.
She therefore urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of their children.
She further asked the court to order Sarafatu to contribute to the children’s upkeep and welfare.
Rashidat also sought an order restraining her husband from threatening her or interfering with her private life.
Responding to the allegations, Sarafatu reportedly consented to the dissolution of the marriage but rejected his wife’s account of their relationship.
Instead, he accused Rashidat of infidelity, alleging that she was involved in an affair with another man while their marriage was still subsisting.
The defendant told the court that he caught his wife with her alleged lover and reported the matter to her parents, who, according to him, admonished her.
Sarafatu claimed that despite the intervention of her family, Rashidat allegedly continued the relationship.
He further alleged that she eventually left their matrimonial home after becoming pregnant for the other man.
“My wife was dating another man while still married to me,” Sarafatu told the court.
He alleged that he confronted her over the relationship and reported the matter to her parents, but claimed that she refused to end the affair.
According to him, Rashidat subsequently moved out of the family home after becoming pregnant.
Sarafatu described his wife in strongly critical terms and expressed concern about the possible impact of the dispute on their children.
He therefore urged the court to grant him custody, arguing that their mother could have a negative influence on them.
Although both parties agreed that the marriage should come to an end, they differed sharply over the circumstances that led to the breakdown of the relationship and who should have custody of the children.
The court is expected to consider the claims and responses of both parties before determining the appropriate orders concerning the dissolution of the marriage and the welfare and custody of the children.
