My husband's ex-wife beat me up -woman tells court

A 46-year-old housewife, Hannatu Ibrahim, on Friday narrated to a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, how she was beaten and injured by her husband's former wife.

Ibrahim gave the account at the resumed trial of her husband's ex-wife, Hauwa Abubakar, charged with criminal force, assault and defamation of character.

The plaintiff, who was being cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel, Urom Otu, said incident took place on Oct. 28.She said her house-help told her that the defendant was around and "I immediately went to my husband's bedroom to inform him because I was afraid and whenever we met she doesn't talk to me’’.

Ibrahim said her husband asked that the defendant should lay her complain to the court, but if she came to see his mother, who was sick at the time, she could come up to see her.

She said she also went to inform her mother in-law about the defendant only to discover that the defendant was already in her mother in-law's room.

The plaintiff said she asked the defendant why she was already in the house and the defendant answered, saying she did not need her permission to enter the house.

"She called me a prostitute and I told her that if I were one, I am now married, making her the one with the title.

"She stood up and started punching me in my mouth, beating me and reigning insults on me.

"I didn't respond because of the respect I have for my mother-in-law who was present and I also have a spine problem sustained from an accident.

"My husband's friend who was with my husband intervened and separated us,’’ she said.

The plaintiff said the defendant took her bag to leave and told her husband that he was married to a prostitute. Ibrahim said she reported the matter at the Apo Police Station and went to Asokoro General Hospital for treatment.

The plaintiff however said she did not know how long the defendant had been divorced and said she had never lived under the same roof with the defendant before.

She also admitted that her husband was not in the room when she was beaten. The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, adjourned the case till April 21 for continuation.