Rita Odafe
On Friday, the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan concluded the 21-year marriage of Omotayo Kumunyi, who is a caterer based in Ibadan, after she accused her husband of poisoning her food and inflicting domestic abuse.
Kumunyi, living in the Osungbade area, claimed that her husband, Olatunde, neglected both her and their four children.
She shared that the situation became unbearable, prompting her to leave with three of their children, while their second child stayed with Olatunde.
“About five years back, our third child told me she had seen her father adding a black substance to my food when I wasn’t around,” Kumunyi revealed, explaining how she felt compelled to confront Olatunde about it.
“I asked him to taste some of the food, but he refused,” she continued.
“Additionally, he often physically assaulted both our first child and me whenever he encountered us.”
“I urge the court to grant me custody of the children since Olatunde is incapable of caring for them properly,” Kumunyi added.
Olatunde, who resides on Olatunde Street near the Police Post at Challenge in Ibadan and works as a carpenter, confirmed that he paid a dowry to Kumunyi’s parents.
He stated he would only contribute N5,000 monthly for the children’s upkeep if the court denied him custody.
“I seek custody of the children as Kumunyi mistreats our last two kids,” Olatunde contended, asserting that the child in his care consistently attends school.
In her ruling, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, the court president, declared the marriage officially dissolved, acknowledging that the union was valid based on the evidence submitted.
She awarded custody of the younger three children to Kumunyi and stipulated that Olatunde should provide N20,000 monthly for their food and cover their educational costs and welfare.
“Since the first child is now 18 years old, they can decide with which parent to reside,” Akintayo stated.
“Nonetheless, Kumunyi must permit Olatunde reasonable access to the children,” she concluded.
