Grade A Customary Court, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved a 13-year-old marriage between Memunat and Usman over allegations of deceit, lack of love and care, child neglect, physical assault, and domestic violence against the husband.
Testifying before the court, Memunat stated that Usman deceived her into marrying him, explaining that she only discovered after their wedding that he already had a wife.
The plaintiff told the court that she never enjoyed their marriage, describing the defendant as distant, unloving, and uncaring. 
She further alleged that he neglected their children and failed to provide for their needs.
Memunat also accused Usman of subjecting her to emotional and psychological trauma through repeated physical assaults.
According to her, he continued to maltreat her even after she moved out of their matrimonial home.
She further alleged that Usman caused a scene at her workplace by attacking her boss, an incident she said eventually cost her job.
In addition to seeking the dissolution of their marriage, Memunat prayed the court to grant her custody of their children and order Usman to take responsibility for their upkeep.
She also sought a restraining order preventing him from threatening her or interfering with her private life.
Usman was absent from court despite having been served with the court summons.
Memunat, in her evidence before the court, stated:
“My husband based our relationship on deceit.
“We got married in December 2013, and he paid my bride price.
“He never told me that he already had a wife.
“I never envisaged ending up in a polygamous marriage. Nevertheless, I accepted my fate and was determined to make the best of the circumstances.
“My husband unfortunately frustrated my efforts daily.
“He was distant and denied me love and care.
“He also neglected his responsibilities towards our children, who were often underfed and lacked basic necessities.
”We never felt his presence in the home.
“My husband is a brute. He abused me emotionally and psychologically.
“He never stopped physically assaulting me and always left me hurting.
“He even beat me in public, thereby ridiculing me.
“He committed the greatest offence when he came to my workplace to fight me.
“In his anger, he descended on my boss who mediated between us and dealt him heavy punches.
“I lost my job after this incident.
“Feeling frustrated, I moved out of his house, but he still refused to allow me peace of mind. He comes to my place of residence to threaten me and constitute a nuisance.
“My Lord, I have had enough of my husband’s atrocities, and I pray this honourable court to rule that we are no longer husband and wife.
“I plead for custody of our children and urge the court to order my husband to take responsibility for their upkeep.
“I further seek an order restraining my husband from threatening me and encroaching on my privacy.”
Delivering judgment, the court president, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, dissolved the marriage.
The court granted the plaintiff custody of the children and ordered the defendant to contribute N40,000 monthly towards their feeding and upkeep. The defendant was also granted reasonable access to the children.
Mrs. Owoseni further issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening the plaintiff or interfering with her private life.
