Court dissolves 16-yr-old marriage for lack of sex

A 39-year-old woman has lost her 16-year-old marriage for starving her husband of sex and making troubles in their church.

An Igando Customary Court in Lagos granted the request of her husband to dissolve the union because she demanded bribe before sex.

The court President, Mr Adeniyi Koledoye, held on Thursday that since the petitioner insisted on divorce despite interventions, the court is left with no option other than to grant his wish.

“The court hereby dissolves the marriage between Pastor Abayomi Adegboyega and Mrs Risikat Adegboyega; you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

“Each of you should go his or her separate ways unmolested. The court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours.

“The custody of the first and third children of the marriage are awarded to the petitioner while that of the second and fourth children are awarded to the respondent, their mother.

“The petitioner must be paying N10,000 monthy for the feeding of the two children in the woman’s custody and must be responsible for their education and general welfare,” he held.

Koledoye also ordered that the petitioner should pay N200,000 to the woman for her to move on with her life.

Abayomi, 48, had sought divorce because Risikat demanded ‘bribe’ from him before sex.

“My wife starves me of sex, she will never allow me to sleep with her unless I give her money or buy her a gift,” he had told the court.

He had vowed to kill himself if the court would not dissolve the union which produced four children.

“Risikat should never come near me, I do not want to have anything to do with her again.

“She is irritating me, I will kill myself if the loveless marriage is not dissolved,” he said.

The embittered husband also alleged that his wife cooked his food late and tarnished his image in public.

“My wife wants my ministry to collapse, she defames my character before my members and others; people who want to help me refuse because of what they hear from her,” he said.

He added that Risikat fought his church members.

However, Risikat denied all the allegations and accused Abayomi of threatening her life with charms.

“My husband told me that he would use charms to destroy my life; indeed, after few weeks, I was very sick; everywhere my family took me to, they said it was a spiritual attack,” the trader told the court.

She said that she never denied Abayomi sex and cooking his food late.

She also denied fighting her husband or members of his church.

The respondent accused Abayomi of beating her at the slightest provocation.

She added that Abayomi chased her and the children out of her matrimonial home since nine months ago, without sending money for their upkeep.

“He is just looking for an excuse to dump me. If he wants to marry another wife, he should go ahead instead of making false allegations against me,” she said.

She prayed the court not to dissolve the union, saying that she still loved him in spite of his misbehaviour.