A seaman, Mr Victor Bassey, on Tuesday urged an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage of six years over ‘unbearable interference’ from his sister-in-law
“My wife, Ruth, who I married under native law and custom in Lagos before taking her to Port Harcourt began taking instructions from her sister.
“Anytime I cautioned her about her behaviours or we have a misunderstanding, she becomes violent and tries to inflict injury on me.
A seaman, Mr Victor Bassey, on Tuesday urged an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage of six years over ‘unbearable interference’ from his sister-in-law
“My wife, Ruth, who I married under native law and custom in Lagos before taking her to Port Harcourt began taking instructions from her sister.
“Anytime I cautioned her about her behaviours or we have a misunderstanding, she becomes violent and tries to inflict injury on me.
“My wife has also become dishonest to the extent that she took my ATM card and withdrew money from my account without my permission," the petitioner testified before the court.
Victor, who is denying the paternity of a month old child delivered by Ruth after three previous children, said that his wife suddenly became insincere and untrustworthy.
The petitioner said that the dispute with his spouse started in early 2013 when she started complaining that he was not taking good care of her.
According to him, Ruth packed the properties in their home and relocated with the children to Lagos without my knowledge.
Victor said that since his wife's relocation to Lagos, her family had threatened to have him arrested.
The petitioner said that he doubted the paternity of the baby because he was away at sea before and during the period of the pregnancy.
Victor urged the court to dissolve the union as he was no longer interested in a marriage controlled by the woman's family.
The respondent, Ruth, however, denied the allegations by her husband, saying that he was the one denying her of her rights as a wife.
"It all started when he brought his younger sister to stay with us and she became a problem in my home," Ruth said.
She said that Victor abandoned her and the children in Port Hacourt and she was later ejected when the rent for their apartment expired.
“My husband abandoned us since January 2013 claiming he was busy at sea; he did not allow me to work nor did he provide the children’s school fees.
“My children have been out of school for two years because of paucity of money, I have pleaded for forgiveness because of the children, I still love him," she said.
Also testifying, the petitioner’s father, Mr James Bassey, said that he provided the money for his daughter-in-law to travel to Lagos.
He, however, said that when the respondent reached Lagos her whereabouts were unknown.
The Court President, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, advised the couple to make effort at reconciliation and also visit a hospital to determine the paternity of the baby.
“I do not take issue of the baby’s rights lightly; before this case can continue, you must first determine the parents of the baby," he said.
Oyekan adjourned the case to Dec. 2, for further hearing.
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