A 51-year-old pastor who prayed an Orile-Agege Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve his marriage to his wife whom he accused of infidelity and threat to his life, yesterday got his wish, as the court dissolved the 20-year-old marriage.
Pastor Sunday Owonikoko had on May 27 filed a petition at the court, saying he could no longer continue with his 47-year-old wife, Bolajoko.
According to reports the pastor, who lives at 1, Alowole Street, Papa Ashafa, Orile-Agege, had told the court that his wife was still seeing her ex-lovers.
“My wife once travelled to Ghana to meet one of her concubines. She did family planning without my consent and she goes out at will,” Owonikoko said.
“She was suspended from the church for six months because she fought all ministers in the church. She then established her church, she fought all the members of the church, and they all left.”
The father of four children, aged between 19 years and 11 years, had also told the court that his wife threatened to destroy him and his church.
“I want the court to dissolve the union and grant me custody of my children,” he had said.
In her response, the wife, Bolajoko, who claimed to be an evangelist, however, denied the allegations.
“My husband is adulterous. He has slept with almost all the sisters in the church. A mother of seven is presently living with him and he has made the woman an evangelist,” Bolajoko said.
Bolajoko told the court that her husband had “lost his mind” since he ate vegetable soup in the house of one of the sisters in the church. I don’t love him anymore, I want a divorce.”
In his ruling, court president, Mr Joseph Adewusi, said there is no point not granting the man’s wish as the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“Starting from today, you cease to be addressed as husband and wife; you shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace.
“The custody of the underage among the children is referred to Ikeja Family Court for final decision, but in the interim, the children should remain with the petitioner.
“The petitioner, Pastor Sunday Owonikoko, should pay a compensation fee of N25,000 to the defendant and also secure accommodation for her.”
