JUDICIARY
Court Dissolves 14-year-old Marriage Over Alleged Spiritual Incompatibility

A Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, on Wednesday, dissolved the 14-year old marriage between one John Akinwumi, a commercial driver, and his estranged wife, Toyin.
Akinwumi had pleaded with the court to put an end to his 14-year-old marriage with Toyin on grounds of alleged constant domestic violence and spiritual incompatibility.
He told the court, presided over by Mrs S. M. Akintayo, that his wife refused to take care of him, even when he was seriously ill.
Akinwumi said that a year after their marriage, things went so rough for him, while his wife suddenly changed, adding that they were always fighting as a result of the absence of love and affection.
He said that this was in spite of his estranged wife’s relatives assisting him to start a transport business.
Akinwumi, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve his marriage to the wife, as it was no longer working.
”My lord, all I need now is separation because the marriage is not working.
”I was okay before I met her but it’s like we are not meant to be together,” he told the court.
Akinwumi, however, promised to give the two children, who are still staying with their mother, N25,000 as their monthly feeding allowance.
However, the respondent opposed the prayer for separation, adding that she still loved her husband.
She, was, however, silent on most of the allegations levelled against her.
”My lord, I still love Akinwumi. There is no reason for him to abandon me at this time.
”For almost a year now, he had left the children and I in penury.
”Akinwumi has not been catering for the children regularly and the children are girls who need more attention,” she said.
Delivering judgment, Akintayo held that there was a valid traditional marriage between Akinwumi and Toyin due to the payment of bride price.
She said that there was nothing anyone could do since the petitioner said that he was no more in love with the respondent.
Akintayo, therefore, pronounced the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent dissolved, while he ordered the duo to maintain peace.
He also granted the order restraining Toyin from harassing, threatening and interfering with the personal life of the petitioner. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.
Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.
30 p. m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.
“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.
According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.
Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Man Seeks Divorce After 17 years, Citing Loveless Marriage

One Moshood Kolobo of Temidire Community, Oko-Olowo area, Ilorin, on Wednesday applied to the Area Court, Centre-Igboro, for the dissolution of his marriage to his wife, Hafsat Kolobo, citing lack of love.
Moshood told the court that he was no longer interested in the 17-year Islamic union, saying that the marriage lacked love and emotional connection.
He therefore urged the court to grant his request for a divorce.
The defendant (Hafsat) pleaded with the court to give her two weeks, saying, “I was just called and informed to appear in court today without knowing the details.
“This is shocking, after 17 years and five children. I am asking the court to give me two weeks.
”The Presiding Judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, adjourned the case until June 23 for further mention. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Remanded for Allegedly Raping Physically Challenged Teen

An Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 50-year-old man, Linus Anozie, in a correctional center for allegedly engaging in anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged person.
Anozie, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a one-count charge of sexual assault.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr B.
A. Sonuga did not take the defendant’s plea.He remanded him in a correctional facility and ordered that the file be sent to the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Sonuga adjourned the case until July 31, pending legal advice.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 9 at about 11.
00 a.m. at Ogunlana Estate, Akin Ogunlewe Street, in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.He told the court that the defendant unlawfully had anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged man (name withheld), without his consent.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravene the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)