Lagos – A 38-year-old woman on Tuesday pleaded with an Ikorodu Customary Court to dissolve her 16-year-old marriage, citing battering and threat to her life.

Mrs Remi Gold, a trader, had approached the court seeking the dissolution of the marriage on the grounds that her husband, Babalola, beat her up at every little opportunity.

“My husband beats me up for any little mistake. He also fails to play his fatherly role to our children.

“He also threatens to kill me with a cutlass and if not for our neighbours, I would have been dead by now.

“He also comes to my shop to destroy my goods whenever we have any little misunderstanding,’’ Remi told the court.

The husband, a 46-year-old driver did not contest the claims.

“My wife is very stubborn. I lost my job sometime ago and she allowed her younger siblings to be rude to me. So, instead of beating my in-laws, I descended on her. It was not in any way deliberate,’’ Babalola told the court.

Babalola prayed the court not to grant his wife’s request.

“I don’t wish to divorce her after four children. She is my wife and she has been of good help to me,’’ he said.

Mr Olumide Adejumo, a legal practitioner, who is a neighbour to the couple, however, urged the court to settle the case amicably, rather than granting the wefe’s request.

The President of the court, Alhaji Nojeem Isiaka, adjourned the case till Nov. 30 for possible reconciliation and urged the couple to see him for counselling. (NAN)