Woman Seeks Divorce Over Infidelity, Battering

A seamstress, Falilat Obaniori, yesterday prayed an Oshodi Grade B Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 12-year-old marriage for alleged infidelity, battering and irresponsibility by her husband.

Falilat, 28, told the court that her husband, Mr John Obaniori, 33, a bricklayer, maltreated her because he had extra marital affairs.

She said that she was fed up with the marriage blessed with two children, aged 12 years and eight years respectively.

The petitioner claimed that John did not care about the children’s welfare but was concerned about his girlfriends.

“I have been catering for our upkeep in the house with my tailoring job, but anytime he gets money from bricklaying, he womanises with it,’’ the plaintiff.

“She said that her husband’s inability to pay their house rent for two years made the landlord to eject them.

Falilat told the court that she had packed into her father‘s house with the children, while John stayed with friends.

“Since I moved into my father‘s house, my husband never checked (on us) or cared about our welfare.

She urged the court to grant her the custody of the children.

Responding, John, told the court that he used to be a womaniser but had stopped.

‘I do not know why she wants to divorce me now after suffering with me all this while. I urge the court to beg my wife because I still love her,’’ he said.

The Court President, Alhaja A.I. Olorunimbe, held that the marriage could be saved.

She directed John to visit his parents-in-law with his family members for possible reconciliation and adjourned the case till April 2 for report of settlement.