A housewife, Mrs Maria Adoga, has told an Upper Area Court, Makurdi, Benue State, that her husband, Moses, was an alcoholic who abuses her.

Maria, in a divorce suit said she got married to Moses in 2013 under the Idoma Tradition Laws and later had a church wedding at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, but that their marriage had broken down irretrievably.

She stated that their marriage is blessed with three children.

"During our courtship, and in the early part of our marriage, my husband was loving, but he later changed and became hostile towards me.

“My husband always beat me to a pulp. I have sustained multiple injuries and I cannot bear it anymore.

"He drinks all sort of alcohol and misbehaves in the presence of our children and neighbours,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Maria also said that Moses was allegedly in the habit of abandoning their matrimonial home for weeks once he receives his monthly salary.

She further stated that the respondent does not pay the rent and has abandoned his responsibilities as a father and husband.Nigerian travel guide

"My husband in 2020 showed some symptoms of mental disorder.

"My children and I are no longer safe living in the same apartment with him,” she said.

Maria, therefore, prayed the court to rule that they went their different ways.

She also entreated the court to grant her custody of their three children.

The petitioner asked for the sum of N50,000 as monthly allowance for their children’s upkeep, and another N300,000 annually as their school fees.

Moses responding pleaded with the court.

"We are in the process of settling our differences out of court,” he said.

The magistrate, Mr Vershima Hwande, adjourned the case.