The District Customary Court of Appeal sitting in Erin-Osun, Osun State, has adjourned the hearing of a marriage dissolution suit filed by Kafilat Muhammad against her husband, Tiamiyu Muhammad, until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.

Kafilat, a trader who deals in provisions and foodstuffs and resides in the Oke-Onitea area of Osogbo, approached the court seeking the dissolution of their 18-year-old marriage over alleged maltreatment, including persistent physical abuse and neglect.

Led in evidence by her counsel, M. O. Olawoyin, the plaintiff told the court that her husband often subjected her to emotional and physical abuse because their two children; 16-year old Muminat Muhammad and 13-year old Kamaldeen Muhammad, were delivered through Caesarean section.

According to her, the defendant frequently referred to her as a “money pit” because of the medical expenses incurred during childbirth.

“My parents assisted my husband with the hospital bills when I gave birth, and anytime he beat me, he would say that when I become frustrated, I would return to my parents,” she told the court.

Narrating her ordeal further, Kafilat alleged that her husband often abandoned the family for months while travelling to Edo State for cocoa and kola nut farming.

She also claimed that whenever he returned from Edo State, he would beat the children after allegedly receiving false reports from his newly married wife.

The plaintiff told the court that she and the children had been living with her parents for more than three months, adding that repeated attempts by family members to resolve the marital crisis had failed.

She therefore urged the court to grant her custody of the children who are currently in Senior Secondary School 2 and Junior Secondary School 3 respectively, and to compel the respondent to continue paying the children’s school fees until they complete their university education. She added that she had previously shared financial responsibilities with the defendant but wanted him to take full responsibility for the children’s welfare and other expenses going forward.

When asked by the court why the children should remain in her custody, Kafilat said the defendant had little time for the children, noting that he usually left home for work by 8 a.m. and returned around 10 p.m.

She further stated that there had never been a cordial relationship between the defendant and the children since birth.

Following an appeal for amicable settlement initiated by the respondent’s counsel, A. O. Ololo, the presiding judge, K. B. Adeyinka, adjourned the matter until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.