A Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan on Friday dissolved the 21-year marriage of a caterer, Omotayo Kumunyi, after she accused her husband, Olatunde, of domestic violence and attempting to poison her food.
Kumunyi, who resides in the Osungbade area of Ibadan, told the court that her husband neglected her and their four children. Unable to bear the hardship, she moved out with three of the children, while their second child remained with Olatunde.
She further revealed a shocking allegation:
“My lord, about five years ago, our third child confided in me that she had seen her father pouring a black substance into my food when I wasn’t around.”
According to her, when she confronted Olatunde about it, he refused to eat the food. She also accused him of physically abusing both her and their first child.
“Olatunde regularly turned our first child and me into a punching bag wherever he saw us. I plead with the court to grant me full custody of the children because he will not take proper care of them,” she added.
Olatunde, a carpenter residing at Number 2 Olatunde Street, Police Post, Challenge, Ibadan, admitted to paying dowry but denied the accusations.
He demanded custody of the children, claiming that Kumunyi maltreated the last two children. However, if the court refused his request, he said he could only afford ₦5,000 per month for their upkeep.
“The second child who stayed with me has been going to school regularly,” he argued.
Delivering judgment, Court President Mrs. S.M. Akintayo declared the marriage dissolved. She ruled that the union was legally contracted but could not continue due to the presented evidence.
Akintayo granted custody of the last three children to Kumunyi and ordered Olatunde to pay ₦20,000 monthly for their upkeep. He was also directed to be responsible for their education and general welfare.
Regarding their 18-year-old first child, Akintayo stated that as an adult, he is free to decide whom to live with. However, she emphasized that Kumunyi must allow Olatunde reasonable access to the children.
