A middle-aged woman has sensationally told a customary court in Ibadan, Oyo State, how her husband had put her life at risk by compelling her to have 15 abortions in their 17 years of marriage.
While testifying before the court on Monday in a divorce suit, the woman, Shukurat Adewumi, a nurse and mother of three, her husband, Adewale, had also denied the paternity of their three children.
“He forced me to have abortion 15 times, putting my life at risk. He denied paternity of my three children. Some years ago when he left me to live with his concubine, Adewale returned home well ill and I took care of him. For the past two years, he declined paternity of our last child and recently came home to steak the only gas cooker we have.
Adewale smashed the cylinder on my forehead because I tried to prevent him from taking it away. I fainted and was hospitalized, his parents and relatives are all aware of his evil against me. Adewale has married two wives elsewhere,” she lamented
In his submission, Adewale, a factory worker, however countered her claims and said he initiated the divorce suit due to his wife’s constant threat on his life.
“Never did I know that she was a hooligan and street fighter when I got married to her. She has caused me so much embarrassment and I can no longer withstand it. I want custody of my children if she remarries,” he appealed to the court.
Delivering judgment, President of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade who was represented by Alhaji Suleiman Apanpa, dissolved the marriage in the interest of peace.
He awarded custody of the three children to the respondent and ordered the petitioner to pay N15, 000 as their monthly feeding allowance. He also directed Adewale to be responsible for their education and other welfare.
