My wife exploits our childlessness for money
By OBIDIKE JERRY pajerry2005@yahoo.com
Saturday, September 16, 2006

A 67-year–old man has urged a grade “B” customary court in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos to dissolve his 6-year -old childless marriage to his second wife on the grounds that his wife is a fraud.

With a forlorn expression on his face, Chief Anthony Ogunleye,off-loaded his burden, telling the court that his 42-year-old wife, Mrs. Shabi Ogunleye had unconscionably used their desire to raise (sire) children from the 6-year-old marriage to extort money from him in the guise of payment for medical treatment to correct abnormality in her womb.

Massively built Ogunleye who was obliged a seat in the witness box because of his failing health said the rising medical bills became so uncomfortable and rampant that he was forced to complain to the doctor who happens to be a relation. But to his surprise, he further alleged, the doctor claimed he had not collected any money from his wife. ”She always demands money from me that she wants to give it to the doctor for treatment for her childlessness but she fails to give it to the doctor.”

He recalled being deceived to part with about ninety thousand naira including thirty thousand naira for an operation which result, according to him, was “fruitless.” To worsen the situation, his wife, he added, had stubbornly refused to have sexual intercourse with him for more than two years now.

Chief Anthony said that the essence of the marriage is defeated since the wife has refused to sleep and cook for him for more than two years. He further said that she is stubborn and disrespectful to him and the rest of the members of his family. This, he says has added extra pressure on him to seek the dissolution of the marriage. “My wife is cruel; always fighting and embarrassing me in public.” Ogunleye who said his wife is very fetish also revealed that he did not pay dowry on her because her parents insisted that their daughter was not for sale. He also claimed he drew the attention of his in- laws to their daughter’s mis-demeanor in a bid to get her to change her nasty behaviour.

He therefore pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage since he is no longer in love with his wife.
But the respondent, Mrs. Shabi Ogunleye pleaded to the court not to dissolve the marriage on the day the case was mentioned, adding that she is still in love with her husband. She admitted that her husband has been nice to her by taking good care of her and meeting her needs. But when the case commenced properly, she did not make any representation either to counter her husband nor state her own case.
It was learnt from her husband, Mr.Ogunleye, that his wife ,Shabi, packed out of their matrimonial home after her last appearance in court probably to save herself further embarrassment from her husband and from other members of the family.

President of the court, Chief Idowu, noted that the respondent showed no remorse for her outlandish behaviour having failed to appear or file any motion. The marriage, according to him, had hit the rocks and therefore deserved a decent burial. He ordered that the respondent should remain permanently out of the wedlock.