Hairdresser seeks marriage dissolution over alleged lack of care

A hairdresser, Mrs Kemi Lateef, on Friday begged an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve her two-year-old marriage, citing her husband’s lack of care.

She said also that she no longer loved her man, whose name was given simply as Abdul.

Kemi, 37, who resides at No. 54, Ajilosun Str., Ado-Ekiti, told court that since she was delivered of a baby, her husband had refused to take care of her and the baby.

She said that Abdul did not care how she got money to buy baby food, clothes, shoes and medication for the child.

Kemi said that each time she requested for money to buy food in the house or for the child, Abdul would say he had no money.

“I have been paying for the welfare of the child, house rent and foodstuff without the help of my husband.

“Anytime I ask him for money, he will say that he does not have money at all.”

She prayed the court to award the custody of the child to her ‎for proper care.

Kemi, however, urged the court to compel the respondent to be responsible for the feeding and education of the child.

But, Abdul, 38, an estate agent, residing at No. 26‎, Okeureje Str., Ado-Ekiti, denied all the allegations.

He said that he was always giving money to Kemi for feeding and school fees but that she was always using the money for monthly contributions, known as “Ajo”.

The respondent said that he deliberately stopped ‎paying the child’s school fees when the petitioner refused to pay the money to the appropriate place.

He, however, agreed with the decision of ‎the petitioner that the court should dissolve the marriage and give custody of the child to Kemi.

Abdul assured court that he would be responsible for the education and feeding of the child.

The President of the Court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, after hearing from the parties, adjourned the case until Aug. 29 for judgment.