A 36-year-old trader, Mrs. Ijeoma Ihuoma, has pleaded with the Oshodi Customary Court to dissolve her union with her husband, Mr. Charles Ihuoma, and also grant her the custody of her children.
The marriage is blessed with three children aged 11, nine and five years respectively.
Ijeoma, who lives at No 11, Olayinka Adenubi Street, Aviation Estate, Mafoluku, Lagos, said she and her husband were married at St. Bridge Catholic Church, Ahiara Mbaise in Imo State, but were not issued a marriage certificate till date.
She added that her children had called to inform her that they were not being properly taken care of by their father.
She said they told her that their father planned to dump them with his aged parents in the South-East.
She said it was what her children told her that prompted her to file for a divorce and seek the custody of the children.
She explained that the matter had earlier been taken to the high court but they were directed to the customary court.
She said all she wanted was for her husband to give her the amount of money specified by the court on a monthly basis for the upkeep of the three children and that her husband should be paying their school fees.
The husband, a 44-year-old transporter, who lives at No 7, Ayakiore Oshundola Street, Ikotun, told the court that his wife was already married to another man and blessed with a child.
He said he was doing his best to care for his children and that he wasn't ready to grant her the custody of the children. He, however, said he was ready to divorce her.
Both parties were represented by their lawyers in court.
The court president, Mrs. A.A.I. Olorunibe, ordered that both parties should tender a copy of their marriage certificate to the court before the next 14 days.
She later adjourned the case till June 13, 2013.
