From Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

A grade “A” Customary Court sitting in Okitipupa has dissolved a 14-year-old marriage between  Felix Awala and  Olufunke Awala, on grounds of cruelty, desertion, and adultery.

The court presided over by Mr. Benson Omotayo granted the prayer for dissolution of the union by the petitioner, Felix Omotayo, after listening to his uncontroversial evidence.

According to the judgement, “There  was cruelty, adultery, and desertion between the parties in the proof of evidence adduced by the petitioner. Therefore, the marriage has failed and broken down irretrievable.

“The respondent also failed to honour court’s subpoena despite  series of adjournments.”

Omotayo also granted the petitioner, the custody of the four minors of the marriage, F 14, F 12, M 10, and M 4, (names withheld)

“The Respondent is granted unrestricted access to the children in the custody of the petitioner on reasonable notice. The general welfare and the maintenance of the children are the joint responsibilities of the parties.

“While the education of the children is the responsibility of the Petitioner.” the court held.

The 41-year-old bricklayer, Felix, sometime in November 18, 2021, had sought the for the dissolution marriage, stating that he could no longer live with his estranged wife, Mrs. Olufunke, on  grounds cruelty, adultery, and desertion.

He claimed that he caught his wife with a pastor, (names  withheld), but that the respondent lied that he is her spiritual father.

The petitioner, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage, and grant him the custody of the children, saying he has been taking good care of the children since the Respondent deserted the marriage two years ago.

Moreover, the respondent also failed to honour court’s subpoena despite  series of adjournments.