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Summary
Linda Stephen sought a divorce in a Kaduna customary court, citing years of marital rape and domestic abuse by her husband, Felix Stephen. She testified to his relentless sexual demands, often forcing himself on her even as she cried, and detailed instances of physical violence in front of their children.
On March 25, 2025, a woman named Linda Stephen visited a Kaduna customary court seeking their help to divorce her husband, Felix Stephen. The reason for the divorce is the Felix’s extreme sexual demands that results in marital rape.
In her petition to the Court, Linda accused Felix of sexual assault when she refused his sexual advances.
She further told the court she was no longer interested in the six-year-old marriage because she had reached her limit of tolerance to his excessive sexual demands and domestic abuse.
“I urge the court to dissolve this marriage because I can’t stand his excessive sexual urge. He likes sex too much, and I can’t bear it.” She said. “Most times, he would have sex with me from midnight till early hours of the morning. Even when I am crying, he will not stop.”
She also said that it has been three months since she moved out of their matrimonial home, and relatives have been pleading with her to return to him, but they do not understand her predicament.
She made mention of how far the husband will rape her including beating her in front of the kids.
The husband, Stephen, pleaded with the court not to grant her wish because he was pleading with his wife, Linda, that he was ready to change. The judge, John Dauda, has adjourned the matter until May 6 for feedback and the outcome of the reconciliation.
Marital rape is an ongoing issue in Nigeria, despite its unconstitutionality, as it violates a woman’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy. A 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) indicates that 7.7% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced marital rape, with 4.7% experiencing it in the 12 months before the survey. A study in Oyo State found a higher prevalence of 15.3%. Sexual violence has severe negative consequences on survivors, which include psychological trauma, physical injury, and the destruction of trust within intimate relationships.
It also perpetuates a culture of silence and impunity that leaves survivors without adequate legal recourse or social support and reinforces harmful gender norms that normalise male dominance and control within marriage.
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