Court dissolves Emeka Ike’s 14-year-old marriage over battery

After years of unresolved marital problems, a Lagos Island Customary Court on Thursday dissolved the marriage between Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, and his wife, Emma, over alleged incessant battery.
Emma, a teacher, had on July 13, 2015 approached the court to dissolve the 14-year-old marriage between her and Emeka.
The Court President, Mr Awos Awosola, said that from the totality of the evidence before the court, it was obvious that the marriage was beyond redemption.
“Emeka, who has been begging to be reconciled with his wife, has not made any effort towards the reconciliation.
“The marriage is hereby dissolved with effect from March 2, in accordance with the Lagos State Customary Court Law, 2011; Order 3 Rule 7 as amended.
“Any party that is not satisfied with the judgment has the right to appeal to any court of higher jurisdiction within 30 days from today,’’ the court President ruled.
Awosola awarded the custody of their four children to the husband and ordered that the wife must have unhindered access to them.
He said that N300 paid as Emma’s bride price had been returned to Emeka and urged both parties to maintain peace.
The mother of four had earlier told the court that her husband had been physically and verbally abusing her all through the duration of their marriage.
“My husband treated me like nobody and throughout this divorce tussle; he had denied me access to my children.
“He does not allow them to pick my call as he keeps changing their numbers.
“The last time I heard my first son’s voice was when he was sick and about undergoing surgery.
“It was a friend who informed me that my son was in the hospital and I called Emeka, asking him for the location of the hospital but he refused.
“He refused to collect all items that I bought for them during Christmas from me,’’ she said.
She then prayed the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her free access to her children.
Emeka, who had earlier denied the allegations, begged the court not to separate them because he still loved and had always cherished his wife.
He said that their marital problems began when she started taking money from the proceeds of the school he established for her without his consent.