A 70-year-old man, Omodele, has approached the Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Irede, accusing her of being troublesome, violent, and destructive. The case, which was heard on Friday, saw both parties consent to the dissolution, but not before trading serious allegations that painted a picture of a marriage fraught with conflict and mutual grievances.
Omodele, the plaintiff, told the court that his wife’s conduct had caused disaffection within his family and subjected him to public humiliation. He claimed that Irede was uncouth, a nightmare to live with, and that nothing he did pleased her. According to him, she was constantly angry and eager to pick fights, and had even threatened him with a knife on two occasions during confrontations.
"I sleep with one eye open because I fear she could stab me to death in my sleep," Omodele testified, adding that he had become so afraid of her violent nature that he now lived in constant fear. He further alleged that Irede fought him during his 70th birthday celebration, tore his clothes, and destroyed his birthday cake, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into a nightmare.
Wife Accuses Husband of Neglect and Infidelity
In her response, Irede consented to the dissolution but countered with her own allegations, painting a picture of a neglectful and abusive husband. She accused Omodele of failing to perform the necessary marital rites, including paying her bride price, and of renting a house for her because he already had another wife. She claimed he was absent when she gave birth to their first child, surfacing only five days after delivery.
Irede also alleged that her husband failed to provide adequate financial support, stating that the only time he gave her and their children a feeding allowance was between February and May of the previous year, when he provided N120,000 per month. She described him as a brute who regularly beat her, and claimed that during his 70th birthday celebration, he beat her "to a pulp" in the presence of guests, prompting her to retaliate by tearing his attire and ruining his cake.
Perhaps most startlingly, Irede accused her 70-year-old husband of moral bankruptcy, alleging that she caught him exchanging nude pictures with a woman he met on Facebook. She further claimed that he later gave this woman her name, as well as those of their children and her mother, for what she described as "diabolic means."
Husband Denies Sexual Inadequacy Claims
Omodele, in his testimony, strongly denied Irede's claims of sexual inadequacy, which he said she had used to humiliate him before neighbours and relatives. "My wife never stops humiliating me. She tells anyone who cares to listen that I am sexually inadequate, which is a lie," he stated. "Even at 70 years of age, I remain strong and capable in bed."
He recounted the incident at his 70th birthday celebration, saying, "Irede engaged me in a fight during my 70th birthday celebration and turned the joyous event into a nightmare. She tore my beautiful and expensive attire to shreds and ruined my cake." He also alleged that she had drawn a knife on him twice, and that he had reported her to the police, but she bragged that she would do something worse.
Omodele said he had endured enough humiliation and threats to his life and could no longer tolerate the situation. He prayed the court to dissolve their marriage and restrain Irede from threatening him or infringing on his privacy.
Court Adjourns Case for Further Hearing
Irede, in her plea to the court, said, "My lord, I am through with the relationship with my husband. I give my consent to the dissolution of our marriage. I implore the court to grant me custody of our children, but make my husband responsible for their upkeep."
The court president, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, subsequently adjourned the case for further hearing. The case highlights the complexities of a marriage spanning almost 30 years, with both parties alleging abuse, neglect, and infidelity, leaving the court to determine the terms of the dissolution, including custody and financial responsibilities for the children.
