‘My husband runs away when rent is due’

A 37-year-old woman, Mrs. Ada Amonu, told a Grade ‘B’ Customary Court sitting in Oshodi, Lagos, on Monday that her estranged husband, Andrew, was in the habit of absconding from home whenever their rent was due.

She said Andrew resorted to the mischievous act in a calculated attempt to evade rent payments, thereby putting the burden on her.

Ada, a businesswoman, who urged the court to dissolve her 10 years marriage, said her 49-year-old husband was irresponsible and did not care about his family.

She said, “My husband shies away from his primary responsibilities on the home front. Even when he has money, he spends it all alone on frivolities.

“Whenever the rent of the flat where we reside in Oshodi is due, he will run away from home and return weeks after I might have paid the rent.

“Even at that, he extorts money from me at will. Whenever I am unable to meet his demands, he beats me up and doesn’t stop until I sustain injuries.

“He picks up quarrels with me on trivial issues. He calls me names and despite mediation by both families, he continues with his bad ways.

“Sometimes in March 2011 when we had a little disagreement, he threw a broken mirror at my head and I sustained injuries. The incident was reported at a police station. I am really tired of this marriage. The beating and assault are just too much for me.”

But Andrew’s lawyer, Mrs. B.C. Ferguson, dismissed Ada’s assertions as false.

Ferguson said Ada was only trying to bite the finger that fed her, adding that Andrew was a perfect gentleman that could not hurt a fly.

“Andrew made Ada who she is today. He set up a business for her and it is a pity that she is now seeking for divorce,” Ferguson said.

The lawyer also accused Ada of instituting a criminal proceeding against Andrew on a petty issue as a result of which he was in prison custody for days.

“When they had a brawl in March 2011 at home, Ada got his husband arrested by the police and instituted criminal charges against him at a Magistrate’s Court. As a result of this, Andrew languished at the Kirikiri Prisons for days when he could not meet the bail conditions on time,” Ferguson said.

She assured the court that Andrew would explain the real situation of things when he gives evidence at the next adjourned date.

The President of the court, Mrs. A. I. Olorunnimbe, adjourned the matter to April 4 for further hearing.

..Punch