Nigerian Man Takes His Estranged Wife To Court After She Changed Their Children's Last Name to That Of Her Lover

A man named Theophilus Ayodeji Obayan has brought his estranged wife before a Grade 'A' Customary Court in Oke-Eda Akure, Ondo State. 

He took the legal action after his wife's decision to change their children's last name to match her new partner's name.

On Thursday, August 10, 2023, Obayan presented his case to the court, seeking the dissolution of his 23-year-long marriage to Chibuzor Lillian Obayan and requesting custody of their four children.

He shared his side of the story, stating, "My marriage has been full of problems right from the start – fights, mistreatment, defiance, misunderstandings, dishonesty, manipulation, hatred, and anger."

"I married Lilian in the year 2000, and we have four kids. I am Yoruba, while my wife is Igbo. I've faced a lot of difficulties from her family because they don't like me, but I've been enduring it," he added.

He continued, "Lilian moved out of my house to live with another man in 2019 and even changed her own name, as well as our children's last name, to match that of the Igbo man she's now engaged to."

Obayan expressed his distress about not having access to his children since Lilian left their home. 

He pleaded with the court to end the marriage and grant him custody of their kids, while also requesting an order to change the children's names back to his own.

In her defense, Lilian countered her husband's claims by saying that he was extremely irresponsible. "Life has been tough for me throughout our years together. Obayan took pleasure in mistreating and physically abusing me to the point where I suffered fractures," she explained to the court.

"Obayan hasn't been a good husband or father to our children; he neglects their school fees and doesn't care about their well-being. He didn't even pay my dowry. That's why I found a new man to marry, and he wants our children to carry his name instead of their irresponsible father's," Lilian added.

She pointed out that their children were now old enough to decide for themselves, with their ages ranging from 16 to 22 years old. 

Lilian also indicated that she had witnesses to confirm whether a traditional marriage had taken place between her and Obayan.

Lilian concluded by requesting that the court dissolve their marriage due to Obayan's failure to pay her dowry.

In the court's ruling, Magistrate Olusegun Rotiba, the President of the court, urged both parties to seek peace between them. 

The case was adjourned until September 28, 2023, for further proceedings or a possible judgment.

In another news, a US senator's staff was brutally stabbed by a man who was just released from prison. See detailed story here

[SOURCE]