Court Dissolves 16-Year Marriage of Ekiti Evangelist Over Domestic Violence

ACNN NEWS — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:43:58 +0000

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti has dissolved the 16-year marriage between an evangelist, Bayo Famoroti, and his estranged wife, Motunrayo, following proven allegations of domestic violence and cruelty.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oyinkansola Oluboyede held that the petitioner successfully proved her case of domestic abuse beyond reasonable doubt, describing the marriage as one that had broken down irretrievably.

The court ruled in favour of Motunrayo, while dismissing the respondent’s cross petition, thereby bringing an end to a case that lasted about two and a half years.

The marriage, contracted on November 21, 2009, was formally dissolved after the court found that the respondent’s conduct made it unreasonable for the petitioner to continue living with him.

Custody of the two children of the marriage was granted to Motunrayo, while the respondent was given supervised access, allowing visitation at agreed locations or in the petitioner’s home.

The court also ordered Famoroti to continue bearing responsibility for the children’s education and to pay ₦30,000 monthly for their upkeep, while the petitioner would handle their day to day maintenance and medical needs.

The petitioner had approached the court with allegations of repeated physical assault, emotional abuse, and infidelity, claiming she left the marriage in April 2022 to save her life.

In support of her case, she tendered photographs of injuries, a medical report, and an audio recording allegedly capturing threats and sounds of violence, which the court admitted as evidence.

Justice Oluboyede noted that the injuries shown in the photographs, including wounds on the lip, chin, elbow, knees, and shoulder, were consistent with the medical report presented.

The court also referenced the audio evidence, which contained a male voice issuing threats and a child pleading for the violence to stop, describing it as significant in establishing cruelty.

The judge further held that the respondent failed to disprove the allegations of violence, noting that he admitted being involved in a scuffle that led to the injuries.

However, the court declined to rule on allegations of adultery, stating that proper parties were not joined in line with the Matrimonial Causes Act.

In her petition, Motunrayo alleged years of physical abuse, emotional trauma, and lack of financial support for the children since her departure from the home in 2022.

She also accused her husband of exposing her to sexually transmitted infections and repeated violent attacks, including one incident in which she alleged he struck her with a POS machine.

Famoroti denied all allegations, insisting he never assaulted his wife or engaged in extramarital affairs, and accused her of deserting the marriage and denying him access to the children.

Despite his defence, the court concluded that the evidence of sustained domestic violence was sufficient to dissolve the marriage on grounds of cruelty.

No fewer than 100 students of the Ekiti State Government-owned College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti, were hospitalised on Wednesday following fumigation of the school by men suspected to be from the Federal Fire Service.

The students, who were furious about the smell of the chemical and the instant effect on over 100 female students who collapsed after inhaling the chemical, protested against the exercise.

They were reported to have vandalised buildings and cars in the school.

A source in the school said, “What could be the purpose of fumigating the school for COVID-19 this time when the school is in session and students are sitting for examination? The smell of the chemical used for the fumigation enveloped everywhere and brought discomfort.

“Many of our students were affected. They slumped as they inhaled the chemical in their classrooms and hostels. In fact, I cannot tell the number of students affected, but they were many. They were rushed to the hospital.

“The development angered the students, who embarked on a protest to register their grievances with the school management.”

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, who confirmed the incident, said 100 students were taken to the State Specialist Hospital, Ijero Ekiti.

Filani, who rushed down to Ijero Ekiti immediately the ministry was alerted, said, “Before I left the hospital at Ijero, 64 of them had been discharged, while about 34 are still in the facility. I expect many of them to be discharged Wednesday evening and Thursday.

“We sent two of the students to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, for observation and to ensure that they are in good condition and one other is undergoing investigation at the Afe Babalola University Multi-systems Hospital, Ado Ekiti.”

The commissioner, who said the federal fire service officials had been arrested by the police, noted, “Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Source: PUNCH

Ekiti State – Advent Cable Network Nigeria

Court Dissolves 16-Year Marriage of Ekiti Evangelist Over Domestic Violence

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti has dissolved the 16-year marriage between an evangelist, Bayo Famoroti, and his estranged wife, Motunrayo, following proven allegations of domestic violence and cruelty.

Ekiti orders probe as 100 students hospitalised after fumigation