Court ends 20-year-old marriage

An Igando customary court in Lagos has answered the prayer of a 40-year-old woman, Mariam Ogungbemi, to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage to her husband, Taofeek Ogungbemi, for what she alleged was his violent nature and irresponsible acts. Mariam, a resident of No. 14, Jinadu Ashipa Street, Egan, Lagos, had told the court that she had […]

An Igando customary court in Lagos has answered the prayer of a 40-year-old woman, Mariam Ogungbemi, to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage to her husband, Taofeek Ogungbemi, for what she alleged was his violent nature and irresponsible acts.

Mariam, a resident of No. 14, Jinadu Ashipa Street, Egan, Lagos, had told the court that she had been paying the children’s school fees and the house rent, with her husband constantly promising to do so but always reneging on that promise.

Despite that, the petitioner added, Ogungbemi was very jealous and wouldn’t want to see her with anybody.

She said, “There was a day he was drunk and he beat me because I didn’t pick his call. He sent me out of our matrimonial home and did not allow me to pick my belongings until six months later when he wanted to pack out of the building.

“For the past three years that I had left his home, he has not performed any responsibility on me and the children. I don’t love him anymore. I want the court to dissolve our marriage so that I can marry another person.”

Ogungbemi, who appeared in court yesterday, agreed with the petitioner’s claim, saying he was also not interested in the marriage anymore.

The court president, Barrister Koledoye Festus Adeniyi, consequently dissolved the marriage.