By Bukola Olamona

A police officer, (names witheld) has been ordered to pay eight months’ worth of unpaid child welfare to her estranged husband or face a court-martial.

 The Family Court sitting in Oke-eda, Akure, had earlier granted custody of the couples three children; aged between nine and fourteen to her husband, and instructed her to contribute N20,000 monthly to their upkeep starting from April 2024.

 However, the respondent reportedly failed to comply, having only made payments for four months before stopping without explanation.

 Counsel for the applicant, Mr. Danial Onu, told the court that despite the standing order issued in March 2023, the respondent had neglected her financial obligations.

He accused her of deliberately defying the court’s directive and urged the court to enforce its ruling. “My client has been solely responsible for the children’s welfare.

 The respondent stopped contributing after just four months, and her actions have continued to disrupt the children’s well-being,” he said.

 He also accused the respondent of interfering with his client’s parental authority, alleging that she had been instigating the children against their father.

 “Recently, my second child went missing for hours. When I eventually found him, I discovered their mother had been lurking around the house without informing me. I’m asking the court to restrain her from interfering with the children so they can remain focused,” the estranged husband pleaded.

 In her defence, the respondent denied any wrongdoing. She argued that her actions were motivated by concern for the children’s welfare, claiming that they sometimes left for school without eating.

She attributed her failure to meet the court’s financial demands to her mother’s ill health. She told the court: “My mother has been seriously ill, and I’ve been footing her medical bills at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.

“That’s why I’ve been unable to keep up with the payments.” However, Magistrate T. G. Alphonso, dismissed her explanation, noting that Adebayo had not only flouted the court’s order on financial support, but had also violated an earlier directive restricting her access to the children.

 “You are teaching the children to be defiant. Instead of buying them clothes, you should prioritise their basic welfare as ordered by the court. What is the use of a child wearing new clothes if they go to bed hungry?” the magistrate remarked.

 The magistrate warned her that she could face disciplinary action from the Commissioner of Police should she continue to disregard the court’s instructions.

 While the court was initially inclined to recommend a court-martial, the estranged husband pleaded for leniency, expressing concern that their children might resent him if such harsh measures were taken against their mother.

 In her ruling, Magistrate Alphonso ordered the respondent to clear the eight-month arrears without delay. The magistrate stated: “Eight months without compliance is unacceptable. Any responsible mother would prioritise her children’s welfare. Your actions show a lack of responsibility, and until you fulfill your financial obligations, you will not be permitted to see the children.”

 The case was adjourned to April 10, for further monitoring of  compliance.