An Ibadan-based prophetess, Idowu, has asked a Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve her marriage to her husband, Aaron, citing domestic violence, neglect, and forced sex.
Testifying before the court last Tuesday, Idowu accused Aaron of regular physical abuse, marital rape, and threatening her life with a knife.
She also alleged that he abandoned his responsibility as a husband and father, leaving her and their four children to face hunger and lack.
The mother of two sets of twins told the court she singlehanded funded the WASSCE and JAMB examinations for her eldest twins, who passed in flying colours and gained admission into higher institutions.
She said Aaron refused to contribute to their tuition or to the upkeep of the children after she moved out with them over safety concerns.
“I walked out of my marriage when it was obvious my husband would one day make real his threat to kill me,” Idowu said.
“My husband is inhumane. He never showed me love nor showered affection on me. All he knew to do was to raise an argument, fight, and beat me. He was in the habit of drawing a knife at me whenever we fought and would threaten to kill me. He also used to have sex with me by force, thus humiliating me.
“He neglected me and our children and was insensitive to our needs. He starved us on a daily basis. My husband was likewise indifferent to our children’s education. I singlehandedly bore the responsibility for their WASSCE and JAMB, which they passed in flying colours. They have been given admission into higher institutions, but he has still refused to contribute towards their tuition. He has made zero contribution towards our children’s upkeep since I left home.”
She prayed the court to grant her custody of the four children, order Aaron to pay child upkeep, and issue a restraining order to protect her privacy and safety.
Aaron, in his response, consented to the divorce but opposed Idowu’s request for custody of the first set of twins. He denied paternity of the younger twins, claiming Idowu once told him during an argument that he was not their father.
He also accused Idowu of poor parenting, citing an incident where one of the younger twins was caught stealing at school, which he said brought shame to the family. Aaron offered to pay ₦50,000 monthly as feeding allowance for the children and requested weekend visitation rights twice a week, alleging that Idowu had denied him access to the children and “poisoned their minds against me.”
“I am also no longer interested in our union. I agree to divorce but refuse that my wife has custody of our first set of twins,” Aaron said. “She once told me during an argument that our second set of twins is not mine. She has refused to handle our children with a firm hand.”
After hearing both parties, the court president, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case until August 2 for judgment.
