I participated at the sittings of two customary courts in Ibadan - Ojaoba Mapo Customary Court and Ile Titun Customary Court. Both courts are located in the premises of the Mapo Hall. Mapo Hall is the the equivalent of the city hall built during the colonial era. It sits on top of what is known as Mapo hill.
The following are summaries of from the 2 courts:
Bukola Oladimeji v Olaide Oladimeji
Suit No. 58/2014
Court: Ojaoba Mapo Customary Court
Date: April 10, 2014
This is a divorce matter. The bailiff reported to the court that when he served Olaide the court notice, he tore the paper. The matter was adjourned till April 17.
Halimat Adeleke v Tajudeen Adeleke
Suit No. 49/2014
Court: Ojaoba Mapo Customary Court
Date: April 10, 2014
Halimat is asking the court to grant a divorce between her and Tajudeen. They have been married for eight years and have three children. Halimat claimed that Tajudeen does not provide for the welfare and care of her and the children. She also informed the court that Tajudeen had moved out of their home.
Tajudeen told the court that Halimat was wayward and he had warned her several times about her strange ways. He claimed that she is being influenced by one of her cousins. He also claimed to be contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of the family but Halimat is never satisfied.
The court adjourned till April 17.
Toyibat Oladele v Alfa Isiaka Oladele
Suit No. 45/2014
Court: Ojaoba Mapo Customary Court
Date: April 10, 2014
Toyibat Oladele is asking the court to grant her a divorce from Alfa Isiaka Oladele because he beats her a lot. They have a six month old baby. Toyibat told the court that the baby was abducted from her when he was four months old by the father. Toyibat also informed the court that he was Alfa Isiaka’s second wife and that they did not live together because his first wife did not have any children. The President of the court asked members of the police who were present in the court to begin immediately criminal investigation into the abduction of the baby.
Alfa Isiaka was immediately arrested and taken to the District Police Office where he was ordered to bring the baby back to the court.
After about an hour, Alfa Isiaka showed up with the baby . The court asked him to hand the baby back to the Toyibat, he was asked to sign an undertaking not to harm or contact her and the baby. The court adjourned until April 22 and Alfa Isiaka was asked to bring members of his extended family to the next hearing.
On April 22, the court granted Toyibat custody of her baby; she was asked to bring the baby to the court every month until further notice.
Romoke Hamzat v Lateef Dapo Hamzat
Suit No. 10/2014
Court: Ile Titun Customary Court
Date: April 10, 2014
The court is resuming seating on this matter after it adjourned on March 19, 2013. Romoke Hamzat is asking the court to grant a divorce between her and Lateef Hamzat. They do not have any children. At the first seating, Lateef did not agree that the divorce should be granted, so the court gave them an opportunity to consult with family members. Romoke told the court that she made contributions to some landed properties that were purchased by Lateef as well as to a house that he built. Lateef did not dispute these facts.
The court granted the divorce and asked Lateef to make arrangements to pay back Romoke some substantial amount.
Fatimo Olajire v Segun Olajire
Suit No. 41/2014
Court: Ile Titun
Date: April 10, 2014
Fatimo lived with Segun Olajire for two years and they have no children. She is asking the court to grant a divorce for the following reasons- excessive beating and harassing and boasting to inflict curses on her using “voodoo” Segun Olajire was absent at this hearing.
The bailiff gave evidence that Segun was served the court notice and has refused to show up.
The court asked whether Fatimo and Segun’s parents intervened in this problem. Fatimo told the court that both families had tried to speak to Segun. The court granted the divorce.
Olayemi Oladejo v Olufunke Oladejo
Suit No. 4/2014
Court: Ile Titun
Date: April 10, 2014
Olayemi Oladejo is asking the court to grant a divorce between her and Olufunke. He is asking the court to grant him sole custody of the seven year old child between them. The bailiff informed the court that Olufunke was served the court notice but refused to sign for it after accepting it from him.
Olayemi prayed that the court should grant him sole custody of the child by referring to the Yoruba tradition and culture that the child belongs to the father. He also made reference to a Yoruba proverb - “Iyawo Ọlẹ ni nwọn gba, nwọn ki gba ọmọ Ọlẹ”. This is translated in English to mean – You can take away the wife of a lazy man but you can’t take away his children from him.
The court granted the divorce. Olayemi was asked to consult with the Welfare Services of the Oyo State Judiciary where he will be advised on how the process the custody papers of his child.
Olumide Olapade v Idowu Olapade
Suit No. 49/2014
Court: Ile Titun
Date: April 10, 2014
Olumide Olapade is asking the court to grant a divorce between him and Idowu Olapade. He claimed that Idowu is a troublesome woman who has a habit of quarreling with neighbors and who has no respect for anyone. They have been married for two years and they have a three month old baby girl named Eniola. Idowu denied all the claims. The customary court judge asked if Olumide paid any dowry on Idowu before they started living together, he answered that he did not pay anything to Idowu’s parents.
The court adjourned their matter till April 28. They were both asked to bring their family members.
Idowu Dele Falomo v Niyi Falomo
Suit No: 22/2014
Court: Ile Titun
Date: April 10, 2014
The court had previously adjourned this matter from March 26, 2014 as both parties were asked to bring their extended family members. Idowu is asking the court to grant a divorce between her and Niyi Falomo claiming that she is being maltreated.
Idowu’s mother was a main witness who told the court that Niyi was an irresponsible man and did not take care of her daughter. She said that Idowu once lost a child as a result of Niyi’s carelessness and nonchalant attitude to the relationship. She begged the court to grant the divorce as her daughter will be better off without Niyi. The court asked Idowu’s mother whether Niyi paid any dowry on Idowu as well as other traditional marriage rites. She told the court that Niyi did not pay any dowry nether did he fulfill any of the traditional rites.
