Engineer Explains Wife’s Abandonment Of Matrimonial Home

A 38-year-old engineer, Wale Sodiq, yesterday told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos how his wife packed out of their home two months after he lost his job.

Wale was responding to a divorce suit filed by his 32-year-old wife, Atinuke.

He said that his family was living in peace until last year when he lost his job.

“My wife’s behaviour changed and she packed out of my house with our two children without my consent.

“When I called her, she told me she was no longer interested in the marriage.

“I was unable to reach her as she changed her telephone numbers.

“ I didn’t know where she relocated,’’ Wale said.

He told the court that he was taking good care of his family until he lost the job.

He submitted that he gave his Automated Teller Machine card to Atinuke to be able to withdraw money anytime the need arose.

“I never queried how she spent the money because I wanted my family to be comfortable,’’ he added.

Wale accused Atinuke of infidelity, saying that she was secretly dating another man.

He consented to the dissolution of the 10-year-old marriage, saying that he was no longer interested.

Atinuke, a teacher, had filed a divorce suit, claiming that Wale was a drunkard and irresponsible.

“My husband is addicted to alcohol; he vomits in the room and I will be the one cleaning his mess everyday,’’ she said.

She added that Wale refused to feed his family and pay the children’s school fees.

The Court President, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, adjourned the case to June 10 for judgment.