By Austin Ogwuda
HEARING in the divorce suit instituted by the wife of the immediate past Chairman of Oshimili South local government Council, Obi Kelvin Ezenyili has been fixed for definite hearing next week, 22nd of July 2024, after series of hiccups.
Mrs. Uche Mary Rose Ezenyili, wife of the ex-Council Chairman, Obi Kelvin Ezenyili had filed a divorce suit against the husband at the Ubulu Uku Customary Court but it was reassigned to another Court based on a petition by the defendant’s lawyer seeking for the transfer of the case out of Ubulu Uku.
Based on the petition the matter was re-assigned to Asaba District Customary Court by the office of the Delta State President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
The Asaba District Customary Court had during sitting on the 19th of June 2024 fixed hearing of the divorce petition Thursday, July 4, 2024 but the case didn’t proceed as a result of a written application for adjournment submitted to the court by Counsel to the Defendant’/Respondent, Ariomaghwa Medjor Esq., informing the court presided over by His Honour, V. Rapu that he was handling a criminal case at the Federal High Court Asaba, thereby requesting for adjournment.
Counsel for the Petitioner, Harrison Urorho Esq who appeared along with Steel Alfred Eshibuogwu Esq. objected vehemently to the written application for adjournment insisting that the Respondent, Mr Obi Kelvin Ezenyili was deliberately frustrating the hearing of the case.
However, after listening to the objection of the Petitioner’s Counsel, the court adjourned the case to the 22nd of July for definite hearing and urged all parties to ensure that they are in court that day.
Recall that the Petitioner, Mrs Uche Mary Rose Ezenyili had, in a divorce suit marked UDCC/6/ 2024 and dated 12th April 2024 at the Ubulu – Okiti District customary court sought an Order of the court to dissolve the marriage which according to her has broken down irretrievably on account of incompatibility and lack of love among several other reasons.
The Townhall gathered that the case was transferred back to the headquarters of the State Customary Court of Appeal in Asaba following a petition by the respondent requesting a member of the Ubulu – Okiti customary court to recuse herself from hearing the case because of her alleged relationship with the petitioner.
Initially, the case was subsequently transfered to Oko village, the home town of the respondent at the behest of the Respondent but following security concerns raised by the Petitioner, the case again suffered another set back until it was re-assigned to the Asaba District Customary Court where it is presently.