Kwara Court Grants Woman Divorce Citing Husband's Poverty, Grants Custody to Wife

An Area Court located at Centre-Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, has officially ended the Islamic marriage between Toyin Ajibola and Bashirat Mohammed. The dissolution was granted based on the grounds of financial inadequacy presented by the wife.

Presiding judge Hammad Ajumonbi noted that despite the husband's desire to continue the marriage, the wife was determined to proceed with the divorce. The court subsequently dissolved the union and awarded custody of the couple's three children to Bashirat.

Furthermore, the court mandated that Bashirat adhere to the customary three- month iddah period, a waiting period observed in Islamic tradition, before she can remarry. Toyin was also instructed by the court to be financially responsible for the upkeep of their children.

"The defendant should have unrestricted access to their children, while the plaintiff should always make their children available any time the defendant requested to see them,” the judge stated.

Earlier in the proceedings, Bashirat had petitioned the court for a divorce, expressing her exhaustion with the marriage due to her husband's alleged lack of financial resources and irresponsibility. "I want the court to grant me divorce so that I can have rest of mind,” she told the court.

Conversely, Toyin conveyed his continued interest in his wife, acknowledging his financial challenges. "I have been trying hard to get money to feed my family, but couldn’t,” he stated. He expressed his distress over his inability to visit his wife and children when they left their home.