COURT GRANTS WIDOW CUSTODY OF HER TWO CHILDREN.(PHOTO).#PRESS RELEASE

 COURT GRANTS WIDOW CUSTODY OF HER TWO CHILDREN

By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court of Anambra State, sitting at the Chief Magistrate's Court, Awka, has granted one Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor, a widow, custody of her two children.

The Custody Order was made in favour of the widow, following an application made by Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor and Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, against Mr. Anthony Maduakor and Virginia Obi.

Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor, who resides at Umunono village, Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, sought the intervention of the state government, through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, when her late husband's relatives forcefully took away her two sons from her, after the demise of her husband.

Following Mrs. Maduakor's complaints to the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Awka, the Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo invited the relatives for an alternative dispute resolution, which failed to yield good results. 

As a result of the parties' failure to effectively explore ADR, Mrs. Maduakor filed a civil action, before the Special Court of Anambra State, praying the Honourable Court to grant her custody of the two children of the marriage.

Delivering a Ruling on the Motion-on-Notice, brought pursuant to the Child's Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) VAPP Law of Anambra State, 2017, and under the inherent authorities of the Court, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve C. Osakwe, prohibited the respondents, jointly, and severally, either by themselves, or through any other person or persons, from subjecting the first applicant, Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor, to any form or acts of violence, intimidation or harassment, in any manner whatsoever.

The Honourable Court also held that Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor's late husband's relatives have no right to take away the children of the marriage from the 1st applicant, and ordered that the custody of her two male children be granted to her.

While expressing joy over the Court's verdicts in favour of the widow, the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo, lauded the Court for always standing on the paths of law, justice and truth, 

Hon. Obinabo assured that the State Government, through her Ministry, would continue to be the voice of the voiceless women and children in the state, especially, widows and the vulnerable persons, who have nobody to speak or stand for them.

Also expressing happiness over her victory at the Special Offences Court, the first applicant, Mrs. Nkechi Maduakor prayed for more wisdom and good health for the Chief Magistrate Genevieve Osakwe, stating that the Chief Magistrate was an instrument which God used to save her and her children from oppression.

Mrs. Maduakor further thanked Mr. Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for his assistance, all through the Court's processes, assuring that she would still cast her vote for Mr. Governor's second term in office.

Mrs. Maduakor encouraged other vulnerable women and widows in the state to always access the Special Court, for justice, whenever their rights are violated.