Mother seeks custody of children

The gavel of justice

A 28-year–old woman, Jamila Idris, on Monday prayed a Grade 1 Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, to grant her the custody of her three children from her former husband, Umar Musa.

Jamila a tailor of Durunmi 3, Abuja, also prayed the court to order Musa to provide monthly N30,000 allowances for maintenance of the children.

She said the marriage, which contracted in 2007 produced three children, and was dissolved in July, 2016.

The mother of three told the court that all the children were in her custody when her former husband came and took them in September.

She told the court that when the children were of age they could be with their father.

“He doesn’t know the pains of caring for a child. The day I went to his house, I saw my two-year-old son sleeping on the floor, exposed to the cold because it rained heavily that day.

“He cannot take proper care of the children because they are not under anybody’s care’’.

Musa in his response told the court that he had tried his best to settle with Idris and for them to be together with their children without success.

He told the court that he still loves his wife which was why he had not remarried, adding that since she had refused to settle, he took his children away from her custody.

The respondent said that the children would be with him since she was not breastfeeding any of them again.

“I can keep a close eye on my children if they are with me, if she refuses to be with me, she cannot refuse me seeing my children,” he said.

The presiding judge, Malam Isah Imam, adjourned the case till Nov. 10 for continuation of hearing.