In a case underscoring women’s legal agency within Islamic marriage, an Area Court in Centre-Igboro, Ilorin, on Wednesday dissolved the union between Fatimah Salihu and Suleiman Olarongbe on grounds of emotional neglect and lack of care.
Presiding Judge Toyin Aluko granted the divorce following Salihu’s petition and noted the respondent’s repeated absence in court despite having been properly served. The court emphasized that Olarongbe failed to provide any justification for his non-appearance.
The ruling reflects a growing recognition of emotional well-being as a valid ground for marital dissolution, and reinforces the rights of spouses—especially women—to seek legal redress when love, respect, and support are no longer present in a marriage.
Citing the law, the judge noted that proceedings could continue in such circumstances.
Consequently, the court dissolved the Islamic marriage and ordered the wife to observe a three-month iddah (waiting period) before she can remarry.
A copy of the court’s ruling will be delivered to the defendant.
Earlier, Salihu told the court that she and her husband had been separated for the past 10 years due to lack of love and care.
She pleaded for the court to grant her divorce so she could move on with her life.
