An Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has dissolved the marriage between Rashida Bashir and her husband, Bashir Adegboye, after the wife alleged chronic infidelity and emotional abuse linked to multiple women who have children for him.

Presiding over the matter, Judge Hammed Ajumonbi ruled that the union be formally dissolved after considering a letter from Adegboye in which he indicated his consent to the divorce. The judge further directed Rashida to observe a three-month iddah, the mandatory waiting period prescribed under Islamic law before a divorced woman can remarry.

The court granted Rashida custody of the two children from the marriage and ordered Adegboye to pay N20,000 monthly for their feeding and general upkeep. He was also given unrestricted access to the children, provided such visits take place at reasonable times and do not disrupt their welfare.

In her testimony, Rashida painted a picture of a marriage overshadowed by her husband’s alleged womanising and disregard for her dignity. She told the court that Adegboye had initially disclosed that he had two wives before marrying her. However, she later discovered that the situation was far more complicated.

According to her, it was the most senior wife who eventually revealed the full extent of Adegboye’s relationships. “He told me that he had two wives before I got married to him, but the most senior wife later told me that nine women had children for him,” Rashida said.

She added that these women frequently targeted her with verbal attacks. “These women call me all the time to abuse and curse me. I am tired of our relationship,” she told the court, explaining that the constant harassment had become unbearable.

Rashida also expressed fear for her health, saying she did not want to risk contracting any disease due to her husband’s alleged sexual relationships with multiple partners. Her concerns, she said, were both for her own safety and for the future of her children.

With the court’s decision, Rashida leaves the marriage with legal custody of her children and a modest maintenance order, while Adegboye retains visitation rights. The ruling underscores the court’s attempt to balance religious principles, the welfare of the children and the protection of a spouse who said she could no longer endure a troubled union.