A businessman, Azeez Ogunsola, recently prayed a Customary Court in Ile-Tuntun, Ibadan, Oyo State to dissolve his 20-year-old union with his wife, Atinuke, whom he called “a serial thief”.
In his petition, Azeez said that he could no longer bear the shame which his wife had continually brought on him.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Azeez told the court the humiliation by neighbours and landlords’ association as a result of his wife’s habitual stealing had overwhelmed him.
“When Atinuke’s stealing first started, I did not take it too serious until she graduated into a huge embarrassment for me.
“Three months ago, I received many phone calls in my office on how my wife was selling neighbours’ domestic animals such as goats.
“People whose goats were missing in the community have traced it to her selling them in collaboration with her accomplices.
“Before I knew it, the landlords’ association had ordered my entire family to immediately leave the community or else, they might get me arrested.
“While I was looking for money to pay for the stolen goat, Atinuke was again engulfed in an allegation of stealing mobile phones from a mosque in the area.
“She was in an argument with her partner in crime on how to collect her share before she was caught.
“Besides, Atinuke usually gives me dirty slaps if I dared complain or threatened to marry another wife due to her bad attitudes.
“In fact, she smashed food plate on my head the last time.
“I don’t want her to continue to destroy my reputation, please, separate us, “Azeez begged.
However, the respondent opposed the claims and prayed the court not to put an end to her union.
Atinuke who earned her living as a chemist submitted that she truly stole neighbour’s goats.
“Azeez is right with the issue of goats and I have promised to change, but I didn’t steal any mobile phone.
“I don’t know why I am stealing, I have been trying to resolve it spiritually,” Atinuke said.
After listening to both parties, the court president, Chief Henry Agbaje, appealed to the petitioner to exercise more patience and adjourned the case.
