73-Year-Old Man seeks Dissolution Of Marriage To 24Year-Old Wife Over Infidelity

A septuagenarian, Mr Lawrence Aigbogun, on Wednesday urged an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his five-year-old marriage over alleged infidelity by his wife.

Seventy-three-year-old Lawrence, who lives at No. 9, Omomo St., Ifako, Agege, Lagos, told the court that his marriage to Blessing, 24, had been a nightmare.

"After the death of my first wife, I was lonely. I needed a companion; so, one of my friends introduced Blessing to me.

"She is adulterous and had the courage to bring her lover to my house one afternoon, but was caught by one of our neighbours," he said.

Lawrence also accused Blessing of threatening his life.

"We had a misunderstanding on one occasion, and she threatened to kill me. If I had not run, she would have stabbed me with the knife in her hand,'' he said.

The petitioner also claimed that his wife diverted their only child's school fees.

"I didn't know until the boy was sent home from school.

"If I continue with her, I may lose my life. I want the court to dissolve the union so that I can be free," he said.

Responding, Blessing, a factory worker, denied the allegations.

"My husband always denies that I am his wife. He tells people that I am his niece and not his wife.

"I don't know the reason he does such a thing. I should be the one denying him because he is old enough to be my grandfather.

"At his age, he enjoys going to clubs and spending money on alcohol rather than taking care of his family,'' Blessing submitted.

The respondent added that Lawrence was unfaithful and "stingy to a fault''.

She, however, prayed the court not to dissolve the marriage.

The Court President, Mr Emmanuel Sokunle, told the couple to be peaceful.

He adjourned the case till May 27 for further hearing.