"My wife put poison in my meals’’, retired Naval officer tells court

A retired Naval Officer, Durojaye Rodoye, on Wednesday told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State that his wife, Adenike, once prepared a custard meal for him which turned black.

Durojaye said that the incident confirmed his fears that his wife had been poisoning his meals previously.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioner is seeking divorce in a case which was first mentioned in 2015.

Durojaye whose union with Adenike is blessed with two boys and two girls; whose ages range from 15 years to 20 years, is asking the court to dissolve the marriage.

"I told my darling wife to prepare a meal of custard for me. Everybody knows that custard is always yellow in colour after preparation, but her own turned black. When I asked her why, she said it was the kettle she used in boiling water.

"Prior to this, whenever I ate her meals, my legs would be swollen, I didn't understand why until the custard issue came up.

"I reiterated to her again that I loved her already and there was no point for her hypnotising me,’’ he said.

The petitioner also alleged that his wife had turned their children against him.

"At some point, I had to vacate the house I built myself for her and the children. But then, I realised that our children’s manners and attitudes toward me were going from bad to worse.

"I sleep in fear; I position machetes in strategic locations in my room. I have to be locking my door, because my wife has poisoned my children against me.

"If I tell my children to read ahead of their examinations, they will tell me that they will get "expo’’ and their mother has always been supporting them.

"I have children from my other wives and I give them education which is the only legacy I owe them,’’ Durojaye said.

He said that several efforts had been made by his family to reconcile them, "but she is unrepentant, there is no 'buka' (local food joint) where I am not known.

"I want this honourable court to please dissolve our union, so she can pack out of my house,’’ the complaint said.

The respondent, Adenike, failed to appear in court on two sittings.

The Court President, Adegboyega Omilola, ordered the court bailiff to serve the respondent another notice for appearance.

The case was adjourned to March 22 for hearing.