Abuja Court dissolves 5-year-old loveless marriage

An Abuja Grade 1 Area Court in Lugbe on Wednesday dissolved a five-year-old marriage over husband’s “irresponsible behaviour.”

The President of the court, Mr Abdullahi Garba, who handed down the verdict, said the marriage was dissolved after several failed attempts to reconcile the couple.

Garba held that it was obvious there was no love lost between them and therefore, ordered that they should go their separate ways.

“You have ceased to be husband and wife henceforth; I put an end to the union between you from today in the interest of peace.

“Both parties are to maintain peace at all times, any violation of the order of this court will amount to contempt with grave consequences,’’ he ruled.

It was reported that the petitioner, Asyia Hassan, had filed a suit, urging the dissolution of her five-year- old marriage to Yusuf Jafar, citing what she called his irresponsible behaviours.

The court, however, granted custody of the three-year-old daughter to Hassan and ordered Jafar to be responsible for the upkeep, medical treatment and school fees of the girl.

She told the court that the marriage, contracted five years ago, was blessed with a daughter, and that her husband had failed in discharging his matrimonial obligations.

“He could not provide the three basic things of life for me — no shelter, no food, and could not clothe me or pay bills.”

According to the petitioner, since she married Jafar, they always quarrel when it comes to the issue of providing food for the family.

“Jafar is in no way responsible as he does not cater for the welfare of our child, in addition to not being responsible for the house rent.

“If I complain of his irresponsibility, he descends on me by heaping all manners of insult on me and my parents.’’

She added, “He insults my parents and talks to them rudely as if they are his children.’’

Jafar, however, denied all the allegations and urged the court for more time to settle with his wife amicably.

“I take good care of her and our child; it is just that she does not respect me and she always wants to quarrel about little things.

“Please give me more time to resolve the issues with her,’’ he pleaded.