Founder and leader of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, has said his marriage to Florence Obinim has not been officially dissolved, despite reports that the couple are living apart.
Speaking during a sermon at his church, Obinim said court documents indicated that Florence had told the court she was still living in their matrimonial home, while he was the one who had moved out.
“My marriage has not officially ended, as my wife is still living in our matrimonial home. When the matter came before the court and we reviewed the documents, she stated that she was still residing in the house.
“Florence told the court that she remains in the marriage, while I am the one who moved out. She also indicated in the documents that she had asked her family to inform me that I had packed my belongings and left the house,” he declared.
Obinim said he believed a judge could direct him to return to the matrimonial home since the marriage had not been formally dissolved.
However, he maintained that he would not return home unless specific conditions were met.
“If we appear before the judge, he may direct me to return to my marriage. I will then be asked whether I am willing to go back, but I will make it clear that I have no intention of returning to the house,” he stated.
He explained that he would only consider returning to the marriage if Florence agreed to distance herself from individuals he regards as his enemies.
He added that if she accept the condition, he would proceed to ask the court to require her to sign a bond pledging to stay away from those individuals.
Obinim maintained that if Florence was unwilling to meet the condition, he would prefer the marriage to be dissolved without further delay.
“Even if I decide to return to the marriage, it will be on the condition that she distances herself from the people she has become close to. If she is unwilling to do that, then I would prefer the marriage to be dissolved as soon as possible,” he said.
He further stated that he would ask the judge to have Florence sign a bond committing herself to staying away from the individuals, warning that he would leave the matrimonial home again if she failed to honour the agreement.
“If she agrees to stay away from them, I will ask the judge to make her sign a bond promising not to associate with my enemies. If she breaks that agreement, I will move out of the house again and never return,” he added.
