I Prefer My Mother’s Custody To My Father’s, Child Tells Court

A 14-year-old girl, Shukurat Adedeji, on Wednesday told a
customary court in Ibadan to turn down her father’s request for her
custody, saying she preferred to stay with her mother.

Shukurat told the court that: “My lord, I am not denying the
fact that Adedeji is my father, but I don’t want to be in his
custody because I will suffer.”

She was testifying in a fresh case brought by her father, Isiaka
Adedeji, seeking revision of an earlier order by the court which
granted the mother the custody of Shukurat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the court had in
February, 2016 dissolved the union between Adedeji and Fatimoh
Adedeji and awarded custody of Shukurat to her mother.

The court’s President, Chief Ademola Odunade, had ruled that he
gave the order so that Shukurat might be given proper care.

However, Adedeji, who could no longer bear the agony of not
having his daughter under his roof, told the court to revise its
earlier decision.

Fatimoh, Shukurat’s mother opposed Adedeji’s application.

When asked who she would prefer to stay with, Shukurat said the
court should allow her mother to continue to take care of her.

She said that her mother had told her many things about her
father, which she never believed until recently.

“I never believed my mother until recently when my father failed
to pay my school fees when I urgently needed it.

“My mother ensures that I go to school. She also sends me to
Arabic school in addition to being responsible for other issues,”
Shukurat said.

Fatimoh also told the court that those who forced her out of
Adedeji ’s home might ruined her daughter’s life if the court
grants Adedeji’s request.
Odunade adjourned the case until Feb. 5, for judgment.