By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered a fresh hearing notice to be issued and served a woman, Safiyah, who was dragged to court by her husband, Hamzat (surname withheld), who alleged that she was stubborn, troublesome and in the habit of fighting him.
Hamzat also stated that Safiyat was diabolic.
According to him, his wife, with the support of her mother, attempted to turn him into a moron.
The plaintiff explained that the defendant was in the habit of washing her private part and using the water to cook his food.
Hamzat further said that Safiyat was a thief and in the habit of stealing his money and some other valuable items he kept in the house.
The plaintiff stated that the defendant had almost ruined his life and thus pleaded that their wedlock be dissolved.
He requested an order restricting her from harassing, threatening, fighting, and interfering with his private life.
He further beseeched the court for their children’s custody.
Safiyat refused to make an appearance in court despite being served court summonses.
The plaintiff in his testimony said, “My wife and I had a customary marriage.
“I paid N15, 000 to my wife’s parents as her bride price when I went with my family members to ask for her hand in marriage.
“She was handed over to my parents, who in turn gave her to me.
“Our marriage is blessed with three children.
“My wife aborted all the beautiful plans I had for our marriage from the outset of our relationship.
“Safiyat moved into my house and started displaying negative character traits which I believe she hid from me while we were dating.
“My wife is stubborn and always determined to do whatever she wanted.
“She is always very unwilling to change her position on an issue.
“We argue and quarrel almost all the time because she is never ever ready to be submissive to me.
“Safiyat lacks manners. She shouts on me even in the presence of our family members and neighbours.
“I reported her to her mother, who, to my chagrin, saw nothing bad in what her daughter was doing.
“I later discovered that my mother-in-law was the one encouraging my wife to rub shoulders with me in the home.
“She controls my wife and always misguides her.
“Their plan was to turn me into a moron, but they both failed.
“My lord, my wife, and her mother on realising how tough and unbending I was, decided to cast a spell on me through diabolic means.
“My wife washed her private part and used the water to cook my food.
“Unfortunately for her, her efforts to have me wrapped around her little finger failed.
“My wife frustrated, now makes our home inhabitable for me.
“My lord, my wife is a thief and a bad example to our children.
“She has almost made my business go bankrupt because she steals on a regular basis the money meant to run my business.
“She also ransacks my room and steals my valuables
“Safiyat will refuse to own up even if you put a knife on her neck.
“My lord, l have had enough of my wife’s atrocities.
“I entreat this honourable court to end our relationship and grant me custody of our children.
“I also request an order restraining her from harassing, threatening, fighting, and interfering with my private life.”
The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case to April 8.