An Ijebu-Ode Customary Court in Ogun on Thursday dissolved the 13 years marriage between one Olanrewaju Olowu and his wife, Oluwatoyin, over battery and negligence of responsibility by both parties.

Olanrewaju, 40, a carpenter, had approached the court on May 18, seeking the dissolution of his marriage to his wife.

The petitioner, a resident of 53 Mobalufon Street, Ijebu-Ode, had accused his wife of neglecting her matrimonial duties and being a trouble maker.

He also complained about his wife’s ill-temper, saying she was “ in the habit of treating my parents and siblings like destitute anytime they are on a visit to our home.’’

The respondent, Oluwatoyin, 35, however, accused her husband of battery, threat to her life and lack of care for her and the three children.

“My husband’s parents regularly threaten me with fetish substances to quit the union with their son, alleging that I married him diabolically.

“I have hardly enjoyed the marriage since we got married; even the children complain about our union, ” she said.

Oluwatoyin also pleaded with the court to dissolve the union and grant her the custody of the children.

In his ruling, the President of the Court, Mr T.O. Ogunlami, said that the marriage consummated without payment of dowry had broken down irretrievably.

“Starting from today, you cease to be addressed as husband and wife; you shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace.

“In the interim, the children should remain with the respondent until they are old enough.

“A monthly upkeep for the care of the children must be provided for by the petitioner and must not be lower than N15, 000 while their training should be both parties’ duties,” Ogunlami said.

Ogunlami, who also ordered the respondent to move her belongings out of the petitioner’s house within 72 hours, warned both parties to refrain from harassing each other.

NAN