A woman, Sadia Elesinmeta, on Thursday told a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan that she married her husband, Lukman, because he needed someone who could bear him a child.
Sadia, who was seeking divorce, stated in her testimony before the court that she did not really know the reason why her husband made up his mind to part ways with her.
“After I was told about Lukman’s plight of needing a child badly, I became pregnant for him and gave birth to the child.
“We have been living well and I don’t know exactly why he no longer wants me. However, if Lukman remains resolute, the court should give me custody of our child because he is too young to be with his father,” Sadia said.
Earlier, the petitioner, an Arabic lecturer, had cited domestic violence and lack of care for his decision to call it quits with Elesinmeta.
“My lord, I want an end to this relationship because Elesinmeta doesn’t cater for me and we frequently fight.
“Besides, I did not perform any essential marital rites on Elesinmeta, and I also wish to be given custody of our only child,” Lukman said.
Delivering judgment, the court’s President, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, held that there was no valid marriage to be dissolved due to non-payment of bride price and non-performance of other marital rites.
Akintayo noted that Lukman and Elesinmeta only had an agreement for child production and not marriage.
She, consequently, granted custody of the child to the respondent, noting that it might be detrimental to allow the petitioner to take charge of the child in his formative years.
The President of the court awarded N5,000 as the child’s monthly feeding allowance in addition to being responsible for his welfare and other needs.
Akintayo also granted the order restraining Elesinmeta from harassing and interfering in the private life of Lukman. (NAN)
