An Ilorin Area Court has said it decided 88 divorce cases between June and August 2012.

Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim-Umar, the presiding Judge, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the divorce petitions were `saddening and disheartening.’

He called on civil organisations to enlighten prospective couples before and during marriage contract.

``I am trying my possible best. It’s just that my power is limited and I’m handicapped. I can’t do more than this.

``Sometimes, I feel sorry when people come with the problem that I believe is simple to solve but they just come to court because of their ignorance and I have no power to tell them what to do.

``In some cases, you will discover that some wives have been abandoned for certain period of time, but because of their ignorance, they will file divorce petition.

``Ordinarily, if she had known, she would have come to claim maintenance allowance from the husband,’’ he said.

Ibrahim-Umar attributed some of the social vices experienced in Nigeria to broken homes.

``I believe the effect of divorce is not only on the family but on the society. Allah created the two parents for a purpose.

``He has power to create human being from just a man or a woman, but He has purpose for creating human beings.

``So, if that purpose is defeated, the upbringing of a child under such condition will not be proper.’’

He added that he was always reluctant in granting the prayers sought in divorce petitions because he did not wish to encourage it.

He called for a proper orientation in a relationship before marriage, claiming that divorce was the `hated right’ of couple.

Ibrahim-Umar said that divorce was only allowed in time of necessity and people should not be coming to court as if they were going for a wedding ceremony.