Four siblings of a 16-year-old marriage, on Tuesday, pleaded with an Idi-Ogungun Customary Court, Agodi, Ibadan, not to grant the divorce request of their father.

Mr Muideen Abdulraheem, 39, had approached the court, seeking the dissolution of his union with Zeinab, mother of their four children for alleged adultery, drunkenness and constant nagging.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 15- year-old first child of the marriage, who spoke on behalf of other siblings, raised his hand during the court proceedings and pleaded to be heard by the court.

When allowed to speak, the teenager blamed the couple for the domestic crisis rocking their home.

According to him, the plaintiff’s irrational attitudes and immaturity to manage his home, contributed to the constant misunderstanding between the couple.

”Our mother too, lacks patience, she cannot endure and nags too much but we are not happy with the misunderstanding going on between our parents.

”We always feel bad, even we rarely concentrate on our studies in school.

”We urge the court to prevail on our daddy not to divorce our mother because their separation will have negative impacts on our life,” he pleaded with the court.

Earlier, the plaintiff had told the court that he could no longer cope with the adulterous and drunken lifestyle of his wife.

He alleged that the respondent, had become an alcoholic, who would nag and demand for money before she could agree to have sex with him.

”I have made several efforts to make her desist from her bad behaviours but all proved abortive,” he told the court.

Abdulrahman testified that his in-laws had formed the habit of taking side with their daughter whenever he reported her to them.

He prayed the court to grant him custody of the children.

In her defence, the 38-year old Zeinab, denied all the allegations, saying, ”I never drink alcohol or commit adultery but Iam ready for whatever step he takes”.

The court’s president, Chief Mukaila Balogun, implored the parties to consider the plea of their children and find amicable resolution of their differences.

Balogun adjourned the case until Oct. 3 for report of either possible reconciliation or continuation of hearing,(NAN)