A man identified as Obinna has asked a Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve his marriage to Chidima, accusing her of infidelity, irresponsibility and threatening his life.
Obinna told the court that he became aware of the alleged affair after a fellow landlord in their neighbourhood confessed to him that he had been having an intimate relationship with his wife, who allegedly told the man that her husband was dead.
The petitioner made the allegations during proceedings at the Mapo court, where he also asked the court to order Chidima to vacate his house, while offering to pay one year’s rent for her alternative accommodation.
Obinna said he had invested heavily in the marriage, including paying N490,000 as bride price and providing for his wife’s needs.
He added that he constructed a shop in front of their residence for Chidima and stocked it with goods to enable her to earn an income and become financially independent.
According to him, he believed their marriage was stable until the alleged affair was brought to his attention by the co-landlord, an incident he described as a major shock.
Obinna further alleged that his wife later became heavily involved in drinking and that her conduct had negatively affected their children, claiming she had turned them against him.
He said the development had made him fearful for his safety, adding that he stopped eating food prepared at home because he believed his life was at risk.
Obinna pleaded with the court to end the marriage, insisting that he no longer wished to remain with his wife. Chidima was absent from the proceedings despite having been served with the court processes.
The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case and directed that a fresh hearing notice be issued and served on Chidima to give her another opportunity to appear before the court.
