Harrison Essien, Uyo
A Nollywood actor, Kalu Ikeagwu, is seeking the dissolution of his six-year-old marriage to his wife, Ijeoma over alleged sex denial.
At an Ikeja High Court, Ikeagwu narrated how his estranged wife, Ijeoma, allegedly deserted their matrimonial home and denied him sex after welcoming their son.
Ikeagwu, in the suit marked LD/8939HD/2021 seeks the full custody of his three-year-old son and ten-year-old step-daughter.
He said his wife packed out of his matrimonial home and sent him a mail that she was on her way to her father’s house in Enugu only to see her at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with the children after some days.
“She told me she was at her father’s place in Enugu and four days later, I saw her at the airport in Lagos, heading to God knows where. In the mail she sent, she said she was In Enugu. I did not send her out of the house. Someone has to tell me why it takes four days to get to Enugu from Lagos. “If you say ‘you are on your way’ it means it is a continuous sentence. It was a stated fact that she was on her way. He said.
The actor further told the court that his wife denied him sex and poured water on him while he was asleep.
The petitioner also said he was not aware that his wife lost a pregnancy due to a Sexually Transmitted Infection while they were together.
He added, “After the birth of our son, she has refused to have sex with me. I was not aware she lost the pregnancy due to an infection as I did not give her any infection. Till date, I have not seen any report attached to a document that she lost a baby through STD. Though I did not ask her why she lost the baby.”
Ikeagwu said he stopped sending money to the children for upkeep and maintenance because his wife denied him being the father to his step-daughter.
On why he was seeking custody of his stepdaughter whom he had earlier sought for revocation of guardianship, the actor said he had information that his wife wanted to relocate the children.
“I have never been married to any woman before I got married to my wife. I married her after she had her daughter. I earlier said the issue of revocation was because I felt she wanted to use me. My Lord, look at the precedence on how I have treated the girl from the very beginning.
“I am an actor by profession and I travel to locations within and outside Nigeria in which I can spend five days to one month. At the moment, it may be difficult but I am thinking about the future when I remarry and get a stable wife.”
Justice Christopher Balogun had earlier ordered the children to play with their father in court and ordered the respondent to present the receipts of the tuition fees of the children in court.
Justice Balogun said, “According to the Child’s Right Act, you can not deny the children the best education even if you’re quarreling with your wife. If I should as a judgment grant you a divorce, and if your wife is in Enugu and you stay in Lagos, why should I give the custody of a 10-year-old girl to you while her mother is alive?
“The Supreme Court ruled that it is not the wealth of a father that the children of that age need, they need the care and attention of their biological mother. The only reason the girl child should not be in the custody of the mother is if the mother is mentally derailed or the issue of infidelity is involved.”
“Assuming the girl starts her monthly period, you as a father do not know what to do. You will be scared of the blood. A female girl is delicate. Your own case is worse because an accusation has been leveled against you.” The Court asserted.
The case has been adjourned to June 23 for continuation of hearing.
