Man seeks divorce after wife went to 11-day church programme

An Ikole-Ekiti Customary Court in Ekiti State on Monday fixed February 5 to deliver judgment in a divorce suit filed by Folorunsho Onipede over his wife’s absence from home for 11 days.

The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, fixed the date for judgment after listening to the evidence of the estranged couple.

Onipede approached the court seeking the dissolution of his marriage contracted nine years ago with his wife, Olaitan, whom he accused of behaving like a witch.

Among the grounds listed for the dissolution of the marriage included Olaitan’s absence from home for 11 days without permission, no respect for members of his family and constant fighting.

In her defence, the estranged wife told the court that she became disrespectful to the petitioner’s family after they accused her of witchcraft.

She also told the court that she left the house for 11 days to attend a special prayer in Church.

She added that “When my husband accused me of bewitching him, I told him I was not responsible for any challenges he might be passing through.

“I also suggested that we attend a Church programme for prayer concerning that, but my husband refused to follow me; rather, he preferred we go the traditional way.

“I told him I would only follow him to a Church and not to any herbalist and when it was time, I decided to go for the special Church prayer.

“And when I was going, my husband was not at home for three days, so I had to send his children that I had gone to Church.

“Trouble started immediately I came back from the Church programme, as my husband and his elder brother accused me of leaving home without consent, saying I must pack out of the house.

“Consequently, my husband’s elder brother forcefully sent me and the children packing in November last year.”

The estranged wife also told the court that she was ready to go her way too but prayed for the custody of their three sons.

She also prayed for an order of the court that her husband must continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the children and payment of their school fees.

(NAN)