An Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Monday terminated a 25-year marriage, following persistent pleas of the estranged wife that she would go no further in the relationship.
Petitioner, Blessing Adeosun, got her wish to end the union, describing her pastor husband as a “deadbeat who is not good in anything.”
Blessing, 49, had approached the court for the dissolution of the marriage, saying that Lukmon Adeosun had abandoned his responsibility as a husband and father since he received “pastoral calling.”
“For the past three years, Lukmon had abandoned us for the church, where lived, while saying it was due to his pastoral work.
“I shouldered all the responsibilities of paying house rent, children’s school fees and feeding.”
Blessing, a nurse, said her husband also accused her of infidelity.
“He accused me of having an affair with a pastor who I always invite to pray before taking delivery of pregnant women.”
She said Lukmon was now trying to claim a house she built, single-handed with her money because of her desire to end the marriage.
Lukmon, however, said he hardly stayed at home because of his missionary work, adding that Blessing had started acting strangely when he became a pastor.
“My wife’s attitude suddenly changed; she started attending clubs and other social events.
“Despite being the pastor’s wife, she always absented herself from church activities,’’ he said, confirming also that he had accused Blessing of infidelity.
“I accused her of having an affair with another pastor because that pastor had told me several times to send my wife away, that she is an agent of the devil.
“So, when I started seeing them together regularly, I concluded that they were having an affair.”
Lukmon, 51, said he was laying claims to his wife’s house because what belongs to his wife also belongs to him.
He, however, begged the court not to grant Blessing’s wish for the dissolution of the marriage because he was still in love with her.
Delivering his judgment, the President of the court, Mr. Akin Akinniyi, noted that the petitioner was adamant in spite of mediation by the court and family members.
“The petitioner refused to shift ground after several interventions, which indicates that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“Therefore, the court has no choice than to grant the prayer of the petitioner, though the husband still claims he loves her.
“The court pronounces the marriage between Blessing Adeosun and Lukmon Adeosun dissolved today. Both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife.
“Each of you should go your separate ways unmolested. The court wishes both of you well in your new journeys of life.
“The first two children, who have attained the age of maturity, are free to stay with either parent, but the other two, who are under 18 years of age, should remain with their mother,” Akinniyi ruled.
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