Court dissolves 17-year-old marriage over husband’s ‘irresponsible’ behaviour

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, has dissolved a 17-year-old marriage between Iyanda Oluwaseun and Iyanda Ayodeji.

Oluwaseun had approached the court, seeking an order of dissolution, in line with section 15 (1) of the marriage causes act, saying the behaviour of her husband is no longer bearable.

In a petition filed by her counsel, D. D. Awoyemi, the petitioner prayed the court to involve the section of the marriage act and dissolve the marriage.

She explained that the marriage began on September 22, 2009 at a registry in Lagos and it has three children.

The petitioner prayed the court to have custody of the three children of the marriage, noting that the marriage had broken since 2021 because of irresponsible behaviour of the respondent.

In her judgement yesterday, Justice Ojo recalled that counsel to the respondent had argued that the marriage has broken and irretrievable since 2021, with evidence showing that the parties have been living apart for three years before the institution of the case in the court.

The court held that the claim by the petitioner that the marriage has become abusive with the respondent verbally abusing her was established as the respondent could not prove otherwise.

Justice Ojo dissolved the marriage, adding “custody of children is hereby granted to the petitioner.”