Court Remands Four Over Unlawful Custody Of Children

A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court has remanded in prison custody one Mr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Mrs Ngozi Onoyughe, Sandra Iwuanyanwu and Mr Osondu Iheakanna over unlawful care/custody of three children belonging to one Mr Fatai Langundaye.
The accused persons who hail from Imo State and reside at Mountain of Fire Road, Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State were said to have deprived Fatai Langundaye of his three children, Femi Langundaye, Omotola Langundaye, and Segun Langundaye.
The accused persons are currently facing a one-count charge of unlawfully depriving the father of (3) three of his children which is a punishable offence under Section 371 (1) (2) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II, laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) revealed to The Tide that Mr. Fatai, the father of the aforementioned formally married their mother Mrs Jane Fatai and the marriage lasted for about 20 years.
According to FIDA, there was a fire outbreak at the residence of Mr. Fatai which badly injured his mother and in process of treatment she lost her life.
They further explained that as a result of this emotional trauma, Mrs Jane left her husband’s house and agreed with him that he should rent an apartment for her which he did. He visited her and the children frequently because they weren’t separated.
FIDA also told The Tide that Mrs Langundaye took ill and died while the husband was on one of his business trips, she died leaving the three children behind.
FIDA also told The Tide on the husband’s return her family denied him access to her corpse even though he had sent money for her treatment while he was away.
Again, FIDA explained that the family of the deceased did not only deny him access but also collected the sum of N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) from him for the burial.
They asked him to release the children for their mother’s burial which he did on the agreement that they would return after the burial.
However, after the burial, the accused persons refused to release the children to their biological father.
He, however, reported to FIDA and FIDA called for dialogue but the accused parsons were not willing to release the children.
The presiding chief magistrate, Sir Sokari Dappa Andrew-Jaja remanded them in custody until they were willing to return the children to their biological father.

Boma Ikiriko