I NO LONGER LOVE MY WIFE, 58 YEAR OLD DRIVER TELLS COURT, SEEKS END TO 24 YEAR OLD MARRIAGE

LAGOS, Nigeria – A 54 year old driver, identified as Kasali Raji has approached a customary court sitting in Agege, Lagos, requesting the court to terminate his 24 year old marriage for lack of love. Besides, he told the court that his wife is no longer faithful to their marriage vows. The petitioner said that he had to move out of his matrimonial home in 2017 because he no longer loves his wife.

“I stopped having sexual intercourse with my wife over seven years ago. I have not been living with my wife for the past 15 months now,” he told the court, adding that his wife refused to have another child after the birth of their only son, who is now 22 years old.

“There was a time my wife got pregnant, but aborted it without my consent; when l challenged her, she told me not to disturb her. I prayed the court to dissolve this marriage in the interest of peace,’’ he said. The respondent, Toyin, 47, denied the allegations, saying that she is not ready for divorce.

“After I gave birth to our only son, nine months later, my husband forcefully had sex with me in spite of my health condition. When I discovered l was pregnant I had to abort it because of my health and our economic situation at that time. We couldn’t afford to take good care of our child or even feed ourselves,’’ she said.

The respondent also alleged that for the past one year her husband had stopped eating at home. “He later stopped coming home and only sends money to his son whenever there is a need for it,’’ she said. President of the court, Mrs Ibironke Elabor, said that since the respondent was still in love with her husband, the court would give both parties an opportunity for reconciliation. She adjourned the case until April 23 for alternative dispute resolution.