I will die if I give my wife money, man tells Lagos court

A 55-year-old fashion designer, Stephen Enebeli, told an Igando
Customary Court in Lagos on Thursday that he would die if he gave
money to his wife for the upkeep of the family.

Enebeli said this when he responded to a divorce petition by his
wife, Eunice, alleging lack of care for his children.

“I stopped giving her money for feeding and school fees of our
children when she started living with another man.

“In my tradition, if a woman marries another husband legally or
illegally and the former husband still gives her money for the
welfare of the children, he will die and I am not ready to die
now,” he said.

The respondent said that his wife sent him packing from their
matrimonial home and that he was presently squatting with
friends.

“Eunice forced me out of her house because I always fight her
for leaving the children at home and going to sleep with other
men,” he said.

According to him, Eunice lacks respect for him just because she
has more money.

He begged the court to grant him the custody of the children so
that he could train them.

“I don’t want another man to father or train my children while I
am alive,” he said.

Eunice had urged the court to terminate their 16-year-old
marriage for lack of care.

“My husband is an irresponsible husband and father.

“While he was still living with me, he refused to pay house
rent, feeding or school fees of the children, I shouldered all the
responsibilities.

“I bought him a motorcycle in addition to his fashion designing
work so that he could be supportive but he is just lazy and
abandoned the motorcycle,” Eunice said.
The 36-year-old food vendor said that her husband was threatening
to poison her.

“Stephen always tells me that he will kill me with poison if I
make any attempt to divorce him and that he will marry another
wife,” the petitioner alleged.
The mother of three pleaded with the court to end the marriage as
she was longer in love with him.

Delivering judgment, the court President, Mr Akin Akinniyi, said
that the petitioner was adamant on her request in spite of all
mediation from the court and family.

“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several
interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union
in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he loves his
wife.

“The court pronounces the marriage between Mrs Eunice Enebeli
and Mr Stephen Enebeli dissolved today, both parties henceforth
cease to be husband and wife.

“Both parties are free to go their separate ways without any
hindrances and molestation, the court wishes you well in your new
journey.

“The custody of the children should remain with their
mother,”Akinniyi ruled. (NAN)

A 55-year-old fashion designer, Stephen Enebeli, told an Igando
Customary Court in Lagos on Thursday that he would die if he gave
money to his wife for the upkeep of the family.

Enebeli said this when he responded to a divorce petition by his
wife, Eunice, alleging lack of care for his children.

“I stopped giving her money for feeding and school fees of our
children when she started living with another man.

“In my tradition, if a woman marries another husband legally or
illegally and the former husband still gives her money for the
welfare of the children, he will die and I am not ready to die
now,” he said.

The respondent said that his wife sent him packing from their
matrimonial home and that he was presently squatting with
friends.

“Eunice forced me out of her house because I always fight her
for leaving the children at home and going to sleep with other
men,” he said.

According to him, Eunice lacks respect for him just because she
has more money.

He begged the court to grant him the custody of the children so
that he could train them.

“I don’t want another man to father or train my children while I
am alive,” he said.

Eunice had urged the court to terminate their 16-year-old
marriage for lack of care.

“My husband is an irresponsible husband and father.

“While he was still living with me, he refused to pay house
rent, feeding or school fees of the children, I shouldered all the
responsibilities.

“I bought him a motorcycle in addition to his fashion designing
work so that he could be supportive but he is just lazy and
abandoned the motorcycle,” Eunice said.
The 36-year-old food vendor said that her husband was threatening
to poison her.

“Stephen always tells me that he will kill me with poison if I
make any attempt to divorce him and that he will marry another
wife,” the petitioner alleged.
The mother of three pleaded with the court to end the marriage as
she was longer in love with him.

Delivering judgment, the court President, Mr Akin Akinniyi, said
that the petitioner was adamant on her request in spite of all
mediation from the court and family.

“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several
interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union
in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he loves his
wife.

“The court pronounces the marriage between Mrs Eunice Enebeli
and Mr Stephen Enebeli dissolved today, both parties henceforth
cease to be husband and wife.

“Both parties are free to go their separate ways without any
hindrances and molestation, the court wishes you well in your new
journey.

“The custody of the children should remain with their
mother,”Akinniyi ruled. (NAN)