Ibadan woman wins after feeding, clothing husband for years

DDM News

(DDM) – A Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has officially dissolved the 15-year-old marriage between a woman, Rakiat, and her husband, Ibrahim, citing lack of love, irresponsibility, and abandonment.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the case was brought before the court by Rakiat, who accused her husband of neglecting her, shirking his responsibilities, and eventually deserting the home.

She told the court that Ibrahim had stopped showing her affection a few years after their marriage.

According to her, he failed to provide for the family, often blaming his inaction on lack of funds.

Rakiat said she had been forced to assume the dual roles of breadwinner and homemaker, ensuring that the family was fed, clothed, and taken care of.

She explained that her husband eventually stopped coming home altogether.

One day, she recalled, he returned only to pack all his belongings and leave without a word.

The plaintiff further accused him of threatening her after his departure.

She pleaded with the court to grant her custody of their only child and to restrain Ibrahim from threatening her or showing up at her house and workplace to cause trouble.

Despite being served court summonses, Ibrahim failed to make an appearance throughout the proceedings.

Testifying before the court, Rakiat revealed that they had begun living together just months after meeting, even though he never paid her bride price.

She said his irresponsibility became apparent within months of their marriage.

While he enjoyed the respect of being called the head of the home, she claimed, he was unwilling to shoulder the responsibilities that came with it.

She described working tirelessly to keep the household running, while her husband seemed comfortable living off her earnings.

Rakiat also lamented that he never cared about their child’s welfare after leaving the home.

“My lord, I want to move on with my life,” she told the court.

“I want custody of my child because he never cares about her.”

In her judgment, Court President Mrs. S.M. Akintayo said the defendant had been given ample opportunity to defend himself but failed to do so.

She ordered the dissolution of the marriage and granted the plaintiff custody of their child.

The court also issued a restraining order preventing Ibrahim from threatening or disturbing Rakiat at home or at work.

The ruling has drawn public attention in Ibadan, with many praising the court’s firm stance on protecting women from neglect and abuse in marriage.

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