Court Dissolves 40-Year Marriage Over Conjugal Rights, Constant Squabbles

For starving her husband of sex and incessant hostility at home, a housewife and mother of eight, Mrs Halimatu Salami, has lost her 40-year-old marriage.

An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Thursday, granted the husband, Mr Ganiyu Salami, his request to have the marriage of over four (4) decades dissolved.

The plaintiff, an Islamic cleric, had earlier filed for divorce on the grounds that his wife had continually abdicated and failed in her matrimonial duties by denying him conjugal rights as her husband.

“My wife, who sleeps, eats my food and drinks my water, has been starving me of sex for 16 years now. She will not even allow me to either touch her or make love to her,’’ he said.

According to the 59-year-old man, his marriage to Halimatu has been turbulent and fraught with fights and quarrels, adding that this development did not allow him to have and enjoy peace of mind,

The petitioner, who also  alleged that his wife had at a time threatened to kill him, said: “Another cleric who lives with me, told me that my wife was after my life; that she gave him charms to put in my food.

“There was a day she wanted to stab me with a broken bottle but for the quick intervention of my friend who entered at that time and collected the bottle from her.”

The husband further alleged that his wife turned their children against him, alleging that she once ordered their first born to beat him up.

“My son beat me up mercilessly and tore my clothes to pieces with my wife’s consent,’’ he said.

The plaintiff said that his wife, Halimatu, gave out their daughters in marriage without his knowledge and consent, saying that he had never met any of his sons-in-law.

Also accusing his wife of being after the property he inherited from his late father, the petitioner claimed; “My father’s property belongs to me alone. My wife and children cannot inherit my father’s property but can only inherit my own property.

“My wife is fighting to take over my father’s property from me, claiming it belongs to her and the children.

“I later bought a land in her name so that she and the children can have that as their inheritance but she went to the land owners begging them to sell the land and give her the money,’’ he said.

The plaintiff pleaded with the court to terminate the marriage so that he could have peace of mind and live long to enjoy the rest of his life.

The respondent, Halimatu, who consented to the dissolution of their marriage, admitted denying her husband sex.

“I was ill at a time and when I recovered from my illness, my husband refused to sleep with me, claiming I am a mad woman.

“He went and married another woman without my knowledge and when he later wanted to sleep with me, I refused,’’ she said.

The 52-year-old trader said that her husband and their first son had a misunderstanding which made him (son) beat his father.

The respondent, who denied ordering her son to beat his father, also denied an allegations that she gave charm to anyone to kill him, or attempted to stab her husband with a bottle.

Halimatu further debunked the claims of wanting to sell the land her husband bought for her.

In his judgment, the Court’s President, Mr Adeniyi Koledoye, said it appeared that the estranged husband and wife were tired of the marriage since efforts to reconcile both parties had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this Court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mr Ganiyu Salami and Mrs Halimatu Salami dissolved today,

“Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife. Each of you should go on his or her separate way unmolested. The Court wishes both of you well in your future endeavour.

“The custody of the last born, who is 17-year-old is awarded to Halimatu, while Ganiyu must be paying N5, 000 monthly for her feeding and must also be responsible for her education and general welfare.”

The court further ordered Ganiyu to pay a severance fee of N250,000 to the respondent for her to move on with her life and another N150,000 for her to secure a new accommodation. – NAN