A customary court in Kaduna dissolved a six-year marriage between a 37-year-old businesswoman, Hannah, and her husband, Caleb Williams, based on a battery and a threat to life.
The verdict was made in the case on Thursday, April 10, and presiding judge Justice Dauda John ordered the dissolution of the marriage that concluded that the alliance was irrevocably broken down.
“No one should be forced to stay in a toxic marriage, and the wife should receive peaceful and emotional relief.”
The judge believes that the marriage between the parties has been violated and therefore does not need to remain under the same roof, especially at the boundaries of threats to life.
Starting today (April 10), the marriage between the two has disappeared here,” John ruled.
He also granted custody of his 5-year-old son to his mother and ordered her to refund the N50,000 paid by the defendant.
The petitioner Hannah earlier told the court that she could no longer stay in the marriage due to constant battery and life threats. She claimed that her husband made her six-year marriage so painful because they lost their second child three years ago.
“My Lord, I can no longer bear emotional and physical abuse and abuse. Whenever I try to talk to him about his actions, he lashes at me and tells me if I am tired of marriage and I should leave.”
She accused her husband of beating her drowsy multiple times until her neighbor intervened.
She told the court, “I’m afraid I may not be lucky next time because he might beat me.”
The petitioner begged the court to end the marriage, saying she was no longer interested in it.
“I can never be with someone who is often afraid, criticizing what I do instead of showing me love; I live in prison, not marriage. Please end this marriage, my mental health is very important to me and my children.”
However, the husband denied all the charges and he said his wife was stubborn and never listened to anyone. He also prayed that the court would dissolve the marriage as his wife asked, adding that his wife could only do her thoughts.
The husband told the court that his wife refused to accept his request and rejected all efforts to settle.
