Court Dissolves Over 52 Marriages In Kwara State

No fewer than 52 marriages were dissolved by courts in Omu-Aran in 2012, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Some of the reasons adduced for the dissolution included lack of love between the parties, desertion, irresponsibility and uncaring attitude.

Other reasons adduced were infidelity, cruelty, battery and drunkenness.

Of the 86 cases filed, 30 traditional marriages were dissolved by the Area Court while the remaining 22 court marriages were dissolved by the Upper Area Court and High Court.

Investigation, however, revealed that incidence of marriage dissolution in the area was on the decline   when compared to the 57 recorded in the 75 cases filed in 2011.

Incessant irreconcilable marriage differences had become a source of worry to magistrates and judges.

Mr Abolade Banigbe, an Area Court judge said in spite of the slight decrease recorded between 2011 and 2012, the trend had posed a great challenge to the judiciary within the community.

He said there was the need for government to strengthen the services of the Citizen’s Mediation and Conciliation Centre, especially at the grass roots.

``It is a worrisome spate of unresolved and irreconcilable marriages differences leading to eventual dissolution, particularly at the grass roots.

``The problem is that judges have had to adjourn to allow for amicable settlement between parties on several occasions which unfortunately we cannot partake in.

``I think there is urgent need to encourage and empower the mediators in Alternative Dispute Resolution Centres in the state capitals to extend their services to the rural communities.

``This will probably reduce the ugly trend of marriage dissolution being experienced in recent times,’’ he said.

Pastor Claims He was bewitched after Raping 12 year Old, Released On Bail

A pastor, Alasco Sobowale, in Togodo Street, Temu Town Epe, Lagos State, has been arrested for raping his 12-year-old neighbour on the 15th of December.

Dailypost gathered that the 12-year-old victim who recently arrived Lagos from Imo state, only speaks Igbo Language.

The victim’s aunt, Mrs. Ngozi Anjorin, disclosed that Pastor Sobowale carnally abused her after having lured her to the toilet.

“On that particular night, my children were in the room watching television but I couldn’t find my niece. I kept on shouting her name but I got no answer. I then proceeded to the toilet which is detached from the building. I knocked on the door of the toilet and the pastor immediately ran out and I saw her inside the toilet. When I inquired of her what she was doing inside the toilet with the pastor, she said he lured her into the toilet and covered her mouth with his palm so she wouldn’t scream. She said the pastor brought out his penis and forced it into her anus. She said he also put his penis in her vagina and when she discharged a particular fluid, he used a handkerchief to scoop it.”

The rape victim was rushed down to Epe General Hospital. When tests were conducted on her, it was found that the victim’s “vaginal hymen is no longer intact and bruises were observed in the anal region.”

Doctor’s report further revealed that there was sperm residue in the victim’s private part and it was concluded that she had been sexually assaulted.

Neighbour claim the Pastor fled the compound for two days but was arrested by the Epe police division after a search party was conducted.

Reacting to the incident, some of his church members accused a six-year-old girl of bewitching the pastor and had her flogged and paraded.

“Sobowale is not actually the head pastor. His wife is the senior pastor of the church known as Okiki Imole. A few days after the incident, a six-year-old girl was branded a witch and accused of manipulating the pastor to commit the dastardly act. The poor girl was beaten up and paraded round the town. They said when the pastor was conducting deliverance for her; her spirit took over his body.” A source disclosed.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that the girl was raped, adding that the pastor has been released on bail because courts were not in session.

“The pastor is in charge of a white garment church in the area. He will be charged with sodomy….once courts resume, he will be charged,” she assured.