Court Dissolves 25-Year Marriage Over Infidelity and Abuse

A 25-year marriage has been dissolved by the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan following allegations of infidelity and frequent abuse. Adenike Alabi, the petitioner and mother of five, sought the court’s intervention to end her union with her husband, Lukman Alabi, citing years of physical violence and infidelity. Adenike explained that the abuse began after Lukman accused her of causing a miscarriage in 1997. She further claimed that her husband brought other women into their home and continued to abuse her. Unable to bear it any longer, she moved into her clinic, but Lukman continued to destroy her belongings, even after police and an NGO intervened. Lukman, in his defense, argued that his wife stopped caring for him after he lost his source of income. He stated that whenever they had disagreements, Adenike would leave their home and go to her clinic. He also claimed she had been advised by police to leave the marriage if she was unhappy. In her judgment, Court President Mrs. S.M. Akintayo ruled that there was no valid marriage, as no bride price had been paid and the relationship lacked essential elements required under customary law. She awarded custody of their five children to Adenike and instructed Lukman to take responsibility for their education and welfare. Additionally, Lukman was ordered to cease harassing Adenike and interfering with her life.