The Amapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday dissolved a 21-year marriage at the request of local caterer Omotayo Kumunyi, citing poisoning and domestic violence as the reasons.
Ms Kumunyi, a resident of the Osungbade area in Ibadan, testified that her husband, Olatunde, failed to provide for her and their four children.
She explained that when the situation became unbearable, she left home with three of their children, leaving their second child behind.
Ms Kumunyi stated, “My lord, about five years ago, our third child confided in me that she often witnessed her father pouring a black substance into my food when I was not around. I was horrified by this revelation and confronted him about it. I even offered him some of the food to taste, and he refused. To make matters worse, Olatunde would frequently subject our first child and me to physical abuse whenever he encountered us. I plead with the court to grant me custody of the children, as Olatunde is incapable of caring for them properly.”
In response, Mr Olatunde did not address most of the allegations against him but confirmed that he had paid the dowry to Ms Kumunyi’s parents.
Mr Olatunde, a carpenter residing at Number 2 Olatunde Street, Police Post at Challenge in Ibadan, stipulated a condition for the children’s financial support.
He stated that he would be willing to contribute N5,000 monthly towards their upkeep, but only if the court denied him custody.
He argued, “I want custody of the children because Kumunyi has a tendency to mistreat the last two. The second child living with me has been attending school regularly.”
Delivering the judgment, Court President S.M. Akintayo officially dissolved the marriage, affirming its validity based on the evidence presented by both parties.
Mr Akintayo awarded custody of the three youngest children to Ms Kumunyi and ordered Mr Olatunde to provide a monthly feeding allowance of N20,000, in addition to being responsible for their educational and other welfare needs.
He remarked, “The first child is 18 years old, and as an adult under the law, has the right to choose who to live with between his parents. However, the petitioner must allow the respondent reasonable access to the children.”
The court president also issued a restraining order against Mr Olatunde, prohibiting him from harassing, threatening, disturbing, or interfering in the personal life of Ms Kumunyi moving forward.