An Abuja Grade 1 Area Court in Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory, has dissolved a five-year-old marriage over husband’s “irresponsible behaviour.”
The court president, Mr Abdullahi Garba, who handed down the verdict, said the marriage was dissolved after several attempts to reconcile the couple.
Garba held that it was obvious there was no love between them and therefore, ordered that they should go their separate ways.
“You have ceased to be husband and wife henceforth; I put an end to the union between you from today in the interest of peace.
“Both parties are to maintain peace at all times, any violation of the order of this court will amount to contempt with grave consequences,’’ he ruled.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the petitioner, Asyia Hassan, had filed a suit, urging the dissolution of her five-year- old marriage to Yusuf Jafar, on accounts of his irresponsible behaviours.
The court, however, granted custody of the three-year-old daughter to Asyia and ordered Jafar to be responsible for the upkeep, medical treatment and school fees of the girl.
She told the court that the marriage, contracted five years ago, was blessed with a girl, and that her husband had failed in discharging his matrimonial obligations.
“He could not provide me the three basic things of life which are shelter, food and clothing.”
According to the petitioner, since she married Jafar, they have always quarreled when it comes to the issue of providing food for the family.
“Jafar is not responsible. He does not cater for the welfare of our child and has failed to pay the house rent.
“If I complain of his irresponsible act, he will heap all manner of insult on me and my parents.
He insults my parents and talks to them rudely as if they are his children.’’
Jafar, however, denied all the allegations and urged the court for more time to settle with his wife amicably.
“I take good care of her and our child; it is just that she does not respect me and always wants to quarrel about little things.
“Please give me more time to resolve the issues with her,’’ he pleaded.