A 47-year-old man, Johnson Gabriel, has asked a Kaduna Customary Court to dissolve his 20-year marriage to his wife, Janet, alleging that she repeatedly assaults him and threatens his life.
Gabriel, who resides in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, made the allegations while testifying in a divorce suit before the court on Wednesday.
“My ill-tempered wife beats me whenever we have a misunderstanding,” he said.
He also accused his wife of being disrespectful and no longer fulfilling what he described as her role in the marriage.
“My wife no longer behaves like a wife. She is not submissive and is disrespectful. I have tried my best to resolve the matter with her, but all efforts have failed,” he said.
According to him, family members and their children had intervened in an attempt to resolve the issues, but his wife allegedly refused to change.
“I am tired of the constant abuse and threats to my life. I want a divorce,” he added.
However, Janet, who was present in court, denied the allegations.
She accused her husband of wanting to marry another woman and allegedly attempting to portray her negatively.
“My husband wants to marry another woman, and he is trying to make me look bad. Whenever he has small money, his behaviour changes towards me,” she said.
The judge, Dauda Bala, advised the couple to consider reconciliation, particularly for the sake of their children.
Bala adjourned the case until September 20 for a report on settlement or for hearing.
