A businessman, Monday Francis, on Thursday, begged a Customary Court in Jikwoyi, Abuja, not to grant his wife, Mercy divorce, saying he still loves her and cannot let her go.

Francis made the plea while defending himself in a divorce petition filed against him by Mercy.

“I still love my wife very much. I don’t want her to leave me. She wants to divorce me by force.

“She has ganged up with some people who are instigating her against me and telling her to divorce me. I beg this honorable court not to grant her request,” he said.

The petitioner, Mercy on the other hand, begged the court to grant her prayer on grounds that she cannot continue to live with him.

She also told the court that her husband beats her and she almost lost an eye due to the beatings.

The presiding judge, Labaran Gusau, in his ruling urged the couple to explore an out-of-court settlement.

He adjourned the matter until May 3, for report of settlement or hearing.