MUHAMMAD, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant presented a petition dated 6th May 1991 praying for a decree of dissolution of his marriage to the respondent, on the ground that the marriage between them had irretrievably broken down. The respondent filed an answer to the petition. She also cross-petitioned praying for inter alia, the following orders:-
"(a)An order dismissing the petition;
(b)A decree of dissolution of marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
(c)That she may be granted custody of Adanna, the only child of the marriage with reasonable access to the petitioner:
(d)That the petitioner may be ordered to make to the respondent such secured provision and lump sum or sums as may be just;
(e)That the petitioner may be ordered to make to the respondent in respect of Adanna, the said child of the marriage, such periodical payments, secured provision and lumpsum orsums as may be just."
By an application dated 26th July 1991, which was brought p…