by Isi Esene

Johnson Munago,  a middle-aged Nigerian Civil Servant has approached a Grade A Customary Court in Igando, Lagos, to end his two-year-old marriage to Helen Munago, who he accused of calling him uncomplimentary names.

He also accused his wife of reluctance to assume his surname preferring to use her maiden name instead. He said Helen always referred to him as a foolish man anytime she addresses him.

He said, “In fact that is the name she addresses me with: ‘this foolish man'”.

Munago, who is obviously tired of the relationship, also accused his wife of always going out at night. He said she is too demanding, asking him to rent her a house and provide N10,000 for her weekly upkeep while she stays alone failing which she will return to her parent’s house.

“If I ask her where she was coming from at that time, she would tell me I had no right to know where she was coming from. When the issue of the money started, I tried to explain that I don’t have money to rent a flat; she opened up by telling me that she agreed to marry me just to solve her personal problems. She said she was once diagnosed of a womb ailment at the hospital after examination and that the doctor advised her to get pregnant as soon as possible. She told me that it was over since she had gotten what she wanted. She packed out of our apartment on January 16, 2011 with my one and half-year-old son to an unknown destination,” he said.

Helen, 35, denied her husband’s allegation saying he is stingy and unwilling to take care of her and her baby.

She said, “The money he used to drop for feeding is not always enough so I told him to increase it.”

She reportedly expressed her desire to divorce her husband asking the court to grant her husband’s wish.

After listening to both parties, the court members presided by, Adewale Eko, told the Helen to bring their only child for sighting at the next hearing. He adjourned the case to October 25 for further hearing.