Court upholds dissolution of 17-year marriage over lack of peace

A Grade I Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja confirmed the dissolution of a 17-year-old marriage between Ismail Agbonika and his estranged wife, Amina Ismail over lack of peace.

The Judge, Malam Muhammad Adamu, dissolved the marriage according to Islamic Law, following Agbonika's prayer for confirmation of divorce on grounds of lack of peace.

Delivering judgment, Adamu held that legally, the power of divorce lies in the hands of the man, adding that the petitioner stated that he pronounced divorce to the respondent on Sept. 29.

He however ordered the respondent to observe "Iddah", which is an observation period of three months after the judgment before contracting another marriage.

The judge advised Ismail, that Iddah period is another opportunity for her to win her husband's love back.

Earlier, Agbonika told the court that he married Ismail according to Islamic Law in 2006 and are blessed with four children.

" There has been no peace between my wife and I for the past 17 years and efforts made to involve our families for settlement, proved abortive.

"I want to be alive to take care of my kids that is why I have approached the court for an absolute solution.

" I want confirmation of divorce because I made pronouncement of divorce to her in September. I am no longer interested, "he said.

Ismail's counsel, Mohammed Abdullahi , told the court that the couple had been living under the same roof with their children adding that from the petitioner's statement he had not followed the step of settlement.

" I pray to the court for an order for the couple to meet an elderly member of each family, with the couple's lawyers for settlement, " He said.

Ismail, however told the court that she had not offended her husband and needed him to tell the court why he was divorcing her.