Ibadan, Oct. 9, 2024 (TheGavel) – In a compelling case brought before the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, a 14-year-old marriage between Omolara Busari, a footwear trader, and her estranged husband, Olanrewaju Busari, a generator dealer, has come to an end. Omolara, the mother of two, sought the court’s intervention to dissolve the marriage, citing accusations of infidelity and a forced ritual to prove her loyalty.
Omolara told the court that her marital troubles began in 2020 when her husband returned from a business trip to Lagos, where he had been seeking better opportunities. According to her, his attitude dramatically changed upon his return, and he became suspicious of her faithfulness.
“Lanre’s attitude completely changed toward me immediately he came back from Lagos where he had gone to seek greener pasture,” she recounted. “He refused to talk to me and even ejected me from our bedroom and asked me to sleep at the corridor after accusing me of infidelity.”
The most significant turning point came when Olanrewaju demanded that Omolara prove her innocence by crossing over a charm he had placed on the ground. Omolara, who rejected the idea, explained that her husband’s actions led to further estrangement, particularly after her parents supported her refusal to undergo the ritual.
“Then, he placed a charm on the ground and told me to cross over it in order to prove my innocence, but I declined,” she explained. “Later, Olanrewaju began to insult and disrespect my parents who agreed with me not to swear by crossing over any voodoo. Soon, well-meaning individuals intervened, and I thought the matter had been resolved. However, Olanrewaju was still embittered and eventually abandoned the home.”
In his defense, Olanrewaju painted a different picture of the marital breakdown. He told the court that the union had become unbearable due to stress, lack of care, and frequent fights. He also claimed that Omolara had declared her independence, telling him he had no right to question her movements or lifestyle choices.
“My lord, apart from the enormous stress that I have endured, she also told me that I cannot question her movements. This was why I decided to walk out of the union,” Olanrewaju stated.
He also added that despite regularly providing welfare allowances for their children, Omolara would send the children to his shop to embarrass him by asking for more money publicly. Consequently, Olanrewaju sought an order from the court to restrain his wife from subjecting him to further public humiliation.
In her ruling, the court’s President, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, dissolved the marriage, stating that Olanrewaju could not be forced to remain in a union he was no longer committed to. After verifying that the marriage was a valid customary union, Akintayo awarded custody of the two children to Omolara, noting that she was in the best position to care for them.
The court further directed Olanrewaju to continue providing for the children’s education, medical needs, and overall welfare. Additionally, Mrs. Akintayo granted an order restraining Omolara from harassing or interfering in Olanrewaju’s private life, while also granting the petitioner reasonable access to their children. (NAN)
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