•I cannot allow that because she doesn't have a roof over her head -Husband
Ms Aina Kalejaye has approached the Agege Customary Court to seek custody of her two children, a girl and a boy who are presently living with her ex-husband, Mr. Ayobami Akinbade.
Ms Kalejaye in an appeal suit is praying the court to give her custody of her children because she is not comfortable with her children living with their father who had got married to another wife with three children from the woman.
Mr. Akinbami and Ms Kalejaye was divorced by the court last month in a divorce suit brought to the court by Kalejaye on account of no more love, constant beating and other irreconcilable differences.
The court in its ruling gave the custody of the children to the father. She told the court that there is no way her two children will be comfortable living in a one room apartment with their father, step mother and three siblings.
But in swift reaction, Mr. Akinbade prayed that the court should allow him to continue to have the custody of the two children because his ex-wife cannot take good care of them. Kalejaye, however, maintained that her recent encounter with her children showed that they are not being properly taken care of by their father and step-mother.
Her words: "I want custody of my children so that I can properly take good care of them. I am appealing to the court to take back my children so that I can take care of them.
My exhusband is married to another woman with three children and the wife is presently pregnant. About eight people are living in a one-room apartment. Besides, according to information made available to me, their father's wife beats the children. And their father gives them N50 per day for feeding. I am not happy about these revelations.
"I was not happy the last time I saw my daughter because many things have changed about her. To my surprise, I saw my 11-year old daughter wearing artificial hair (weaveon) on her head and she told me that her father bought it for her. Their father does not have time for them because he always comes home late. Up till now, my children are yet to start school."
In his response, Mr Akinbade said that his ex-wife is being economical with the truth because the children are being properly taken care of by him and their step mother. He wondered why his wife, who could not take proper care of the children they were still together as a family, is now asking for their custody.
His words: "She is lying. My children are properly taken care of. I can sacrifice anything for the sake of my children. I have been taking care of my children even right from the beginning. I am the one that always bathe them, cook their meals, and generally care for them. "I cannot release custody of my children to her because she doesn't have a roof over her head presently.
She sleeps in her shop or at some of her friend's houses. In fact, at times, she sleeps in hotels," Mr. Akinbade told the court. The court, having listened to both sides, adjourned the suit to October 21, 2013 for further hearing.
