My husband gave our 3 year old child only N3,000, bought her a dress from birth -Woman

By Toluwani Olamitoke

The President of the Court, Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Ms. SM Akintayo, has ruled in the divorce case filed against her by a woman, Amudalat Hamzat, who took her husband, Sodiq Basiru to court on the grounds of neglect of her and their only child and disrespect for her parents.

Amudalat pleaded with the court to terminate their union and grant her custody of their only child.

The plaintiff also pleaded for the defendant to be held fully responsible for their child’s nutrition, education and medical care.

She also sought an injunction to stop her husband from threatening or fighting her at her place of residence or work.

Sodiq pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

He also refused to let his wife have custody of their child.

Amudalat told the court: “I went to live with my husband after he got me pregnant.

“He didn’t pay my bride price because our parents didn’t perform the normal wedding ceremony on our behalf.

“I regret having anything to do with my husband because he is irresponsible and refuses to change.

“Sodiq neglected me and our only child and didn’t give us money for food.

“He only gave our child, who will be three years old in a few months, a dress since birth and N1500 at two different times.

“I told him we should enroll our child in school when she clocked two, but he brushed off my request.

“Her older sister suddenly announced one day that she was taking our child from me. I have fought tooth and nail to keep the baby in my care and have been fully responsible for her needs.

“Sodiq and her sister have refused to let me rest because they often threaten to take our child from me by force.

“My husband is always rude to my parents and treats them disrespectfully.

“The more I complained to my parents about his rudeness, the worse he got.

My lord, my husband is clearly not the man I want to live with for the rest of my life. He’s frustrated me enough.

“I therefore pray the court to stop our marriage and grant me custody of our baby.

“I further beg that my husband be made responsible for our child’s well-being.

“My lord, my last prayer is that Sodiq is stopped from threatening or fighting me in my place of residence or work and also from interfering in my private life.”

Sodiq replied, “Amudalat is a liar and trying to paint me black.

“My lord, my marriage to Amudalat declared to be in crisis after her parents insisted that she move into their house when she put our child to bed.

“I hurried out of the hospital to catch a taxi to take my wife and our child home after she gave birth to our baby, but I regret that they had both left with her parents by the time I got back.

“My wife’s parents told me that they would both stay with them from now on.

“They stuck to their decision and were deaf to my pleas.

“I resigned myself to the faith and took it upon myself to visit my wife and child regularly with my in-laws.

“There was never a time when I went there empty-handed. I always bring provisions for our baby.

“I made plans to throw our daughter a party for her second birthday, but my wife refused to let me go through with it.

“She promised to arrange the party and asked me to transfer money to her account.

“I did, but to my surprise there was no celebration.

“My lord, Amudalat has since denied me access to our child.”

The magistrate, Mrs. Akintayo, stated in her verdict that there was no marriage to be dissolved, as no ceremony was held on behalf of either of them and no bride price had been paid by the defendant.

She granted the prosecution custody of their child and ordered the defendant to pay N10,000 monthly through the court for her maintenance.

Both were instructed to be responsible for their child’s education and health care.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN STAND