A man, Yinka Baruwa, on Monday approached the Upper Customary Court at Daura Road in Kaduna, seeking custody of his two children, aged five and seven.
Baruwa, through his counsel, Priscilla Markus, told the court that the children were in the care of his former partner, Florence Olayemi, and urged the court to grant him custody.
In her defence, Olayemi said she lived with Baruwa for four years without being married to him.
She accused him of neglecting his responsibilities, returning home late, and failing to provide adequate food for the family.
Olayemi also alleged that Baruwa frequently insulted her before neighbours, claiming she could neither cook nor dress well.
“I got tired and told him to leave because he came to live with me in my apartment, and he only started paying the rent after moving in,” she said.
She further alleged that Baruwa molested her seven-year-old daughter, though she admitted she had no evidence beyond her daughter’s testimony.
Olayemi told the court that Baruwa is free to visit his children but insisted she had no interest in marrying him.
Presiding Judge Patience Musa adjourned the case until October 27 for further hearing.