An Ibadan, Oyo State-based man has lamented that he and his wife have not had any form of intercourse for two years.
He narrated this to a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan before it dissolved the 15-year union between him, Sunday Yinyinola, and his estranged partner, Adeola Yinyinola.
He also alleged adultery and frequent disrespect toward his parents.
Delivering judgment, the court’s President, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, ordered the pair to part ways, noting that Yinyinola was no longer interested in the relationship.
However, Akintayo clarified that there was no legal marriage to dissolve, as the bride price was never paid and other customary marital rites were not performed.
She further stated that evidence before the court showed Yinyinola and Adeola began living together as husband and wife only after receiving verbal consent from Adeola’s parents, without performing the essential marital rites required under Nigerian customary law.
The court president noted that for the past 15 years, the pair had merely cohabited and were never legally married, contrary to their belief.
She also issued an order restraining the respondent from harassing, threatening, or interfering in the petitioner’s private life.
Earlier, Yinyinola told the court he filed the suit to end the relationship because he could no longer tolerate his wife’s repeated humiliation of his parents.
“My Lord, I have endured severe psychological and emotional trauma due to Adeola’s misconduct—not just toward me, but also toward my parents,” Yinyinola told the court.
“She treats them with utter disrespect and shows no concern for their welfare whenever they visit us.
“Worse still, she has been unfaithful, despite my efforts to provide a decent living condition for our family.
“Due to her wayward lifestyle, we have not had any form of sexual intimacy for the past two years.
“I filed this suit primarily because of her recent threat to kill me.”
Yinyinola added that they had previously attended sessions at a mediation centre in Ibadan in an attempt to resolve their issues, but claimed he had not observed any positive change in Adeola’s behaviour.
Adeola, however, was absent in court when called upon to respond to the allegations.
The bailiff reported that several hearing notices had been served on her, but she declined to appear.
