A marital dispute between a couple, Antonia Paul and her husband, Loveth Paul, was brought before The Justice Court presided over by Justice Funmi Asaolu, over allegations of neglect and lack of financial support for their six children.
The plaintiff, Antonia, told the court that she had been solely responsible for the children’s welfare since their separation.
“I’m the one taking care of the children. They are all with me because we are no longer living together,” she said.
Antonia told the court that although her husband initially was paying ₦60,000 monthly for sometime, but he later stopped the payments.
“The ₦60,000 he used to give us—he stopped for about six months,” she said. “I even went to his office to report him because he wasn’t giving us money for food.”
She further alleged that instead of consistent cash support, her husband began providing irregular food supplies.
“When he buys foodstuff, he keeps it without giving us money. Sometimes he gives ₦4,000 for three days, ₦3,000, ₦2,000, or even ₦1,000,” she added.
In his defence, Loveth denied abandoning his responsibilities, insisting he never stopped supporting his family.
“I never stopped. When I give her ₦60,000 on the 24th of this month, before the 5th of the next month, she will say the food has finished,” he told the court.
He also attempted to involve the children as witnesses, a move the court strongly rejected.
“You can’t bring children here,” the judge ruled. “You are the parents. You are responsible for them. Don’t use the children as pawns against each other.”
The judge criticised both parties for exposing their children to conflict.
“The two of you are irresponsible in that regard. You must stop involving the children in your issues,” she said.
Addressing the financial reality of raising six children, the judge noted that the amount provided was inadequate.
“You are giving ₦10,000 per child per month. That cannot feed a child,” she stated, adding that the mother was clearly subsidising their upkeep.
On the issue of child labour, the court also faulted both parents after it was revealed that some of the children had been made to work.
“You don’t have the right to send the children to work without involving the father,” the judge told the mother. “At the same time, if you don’t want them to work, what arrangements have you made to support them financially?”
She stressed the need for cooperation between both parents.
“When all you do is attack each other, when do you sit down to discuss progressive things?” she asked.
In her final ruling, the judge ordered the defendant to resume monthly payments.
“The defendant is to start paying ₦60,000 monthly from this month for the upkeep of the children,” she ruled.
She also directed both parties to attend counselling sessions.
“The two of you should go for co-parenting classes. You need professional help on how to properly raise these children without conflict,” she added.
The case was subsequently resolved with the court mandating both financial responsibility and parental cooperation in the interest of the children’s welfare……See More
Leave a Reply