Oyo Customary Court Hears Pastor's Cutlass Allegation Amidst Wife's Infidelity Claim

A clergyman, Pastor Akorede, has initiated divorce proceedings against his wife, Damilola, at the Grade A Customary Court situated in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State. His petition cited relentless disputes, domestic violence, and threats to his life as the basis for seeking the termination of their union. Akorede informed the court that his wife deprived him of peace and made his life a misery, alleging that Damilola was perpetually confrontational and frequently engaged him in altercations whenever disagreements arose.

According to the plaintiff, his wife often brandished a knife during their arguments. He further claimed that on one particular occasion, Damilola openly threatened him with a cutlass inside their church, in the presence of fellow pastors and the entire congregation, causing him profound public embarrassment. Akorede also accused his wife of financial irresponsibility and wasteful habits. He described her as a glutton, stating she consumed unusually large quantities of food and consistently took the largest portions of meat during meals.

Beyond seeking a divorce, Akorede requested the court to grant him custody of their children, contending that his wife lacked the necessary virtues to raise them properly. He also sought a restraining order against Damilola to prevent her from harassing, threatening, or infringing on his privacy.

In her defence, Damilola refuted all accusations but consented to the dissolution of the marriage. She expressed regret over marrying Akorede, explaining that she had trusted he would be faithful and committed due to his status as a man of God. She further alleged that she was heartbroken upon discovering her husband had impregnated an 18-year-old member of his congregation. The defendant opposed her husband’s bid for child custody, urging the court to grant her custody instead. She also implored the court to mandate Akorede to assume full responsibility for the children’s welfare, including their feeding, education, and healthcare.

Pastor Akorede, in his testimony, recounted: "My wife and I did not hold a wedding ceremony. We were only prayed for in church before we started living together as husband and wife. I realised too late that my wife’s mission in marrying me was to destroy my ministry. Damola is a devil in disguise. I enjoyed no peace in our marriage because of her troublesome nature. She was always on my neck, raised issues over trivial matters, and would fight me at every opportunity. Whenever we had any argument, she would become violent and draw a knife on me. I lived in fear under the same roof with her. Instead of showing remorse, she became worse. During one Sunday service, she created a scene in the church, almost ruining my ministerial calling. She made me a laughing stock before my co-pastors and the entire congregation when she threatened me with a cutlass during the service. After that incident, I moved out of our home because it was obvious that my life was no longer safe with her. Sincerely, I had already become fed up with the marriage before then. Apart from being financially irresponsible, she is also a glutton. She would serve herself large portions of food at every meal and always took the biggest pieces of meat. My lord, I plead for custody of our children because she lacks the virtues required to raise them properly. I also seek an order restraining her from harassing, threatening, or interfering with my private life.”

Damilola responded, stating: “Everything my husband has said about me is false. I am also tired of the marriage and I consent to the divorce. I married him because I believed that, as a servant of God, he would remain faithful and committed to me. He betrayed my trust by impregnating an 18-year-old member of our congregation. I urge this honourable court to dismiss my husband’s request for custody of our children. I pray the court to grant me custody and order my husband to take responsibility for the children’s welfare, with priority given to their feeding, education, and healthcare.”

The court president, Mrs. O.E Owoseni, delivered a judgment stating that no customary marriage had taken place between the couple, as no bride price was paid. Consequently, she ruled that they were merely co-habiting. Mrs. Owoseni granted Akorede custody of their child and ordered Damilola to be responsible for the child's upkeep, mandating a monthly payment of N15,000 for food.