A Kaduna Customary Court has officially ended the six-year marriage between 37-year-old businesswoman, Hannah, and her husband Caleb Williams, citing constant physical abuse and threats to life as the primary reasons for the dissolution.
Judge Dauda John delivered the verdict on Thursday, declaring that the marriage had irreparably broken down. “No one should be forced to stay in a toxic marriage. The wife deserves peace and emotional relief,” he stated. He emphasized that continuing the marriage, especially when there are threats to life involved, was unnecessary.
The court ruled that Hannah would have custody of their 5-year-old son, while Caleb was ordered to return the N50,000 dowry.
Hannah had testified that she could no longer tolerate the abuse she had suffered throughout their marriage, especially after the tragic loss of their second child three years ago. She described frequent physical assaults by Caleb, where he would beat her severely, often stating she would either leave alive or dead. Fearing for her life, she expressed that she could no longer live under such terror.
“I am afraid I might not be lucky next time; he might beat me to death,” she said in court, explaining how her husband’s behavior had turned her life into a prison rather than a partnership.
While Caleb denied the abuse, claiming that his wife was stubborn and refused to reconcile, he ultimately agreed to the divorce, requesting the court to dissolve the marriage as per his wife’s request.
This ruling marks a significant moment, highlighting the importance of addressing domestic abuse and prioritizing the mental and physical well-being of individuals in such situations.
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