Lagos Customary Courts Overflow With Divorce Suits

In a divorce case, typical of many others in the state’s magistrates courts, a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ojo, Lagos, yesterday, dissolved the three-year-old marriage of a petitioner who accused her husband of infidelity and cruelty.

The acting court president, Alhaji T.K. Keshinro, dissolved the marriage between the petitioner, Ramatu Abidoye and the respondent, Musiliu Abidoye, after they consented to it.

According to Keshinro: “Once the parties to a divorce suit have agreed to go their separate ways, no further evidence is required to show that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“The court lacks the power to force the couple to continue to live together against their wish. This marriage is hereby dissolved with effect from July 24.”

In another suit, a 44-year-old civil servant also yesterday asked a Lagos Customary Court to dissolve his marriage, accusing his wife of 10 years of always biting  him.