By Bukola Olamona

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A Family Court in Ondo State has ordered the temporary removal of a child from her grandmother’s custody, pending the outcome of a paternity test.

 The court’s decision followed allegations that the child’s mother, identified as Bolanle, aged 27, had repeatedly defied a court order mandating a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test to determine the child’s paternity. The applicant, Mr. C. B., a Chinese national, told the court that he had been denied access to conduct a DNA test to confirm if he is the biological father of the girl.

 He alleged that Bolanle, who is at large, had instructed her mother to reject all legal summons.

 The applicants lawyer, Barrister Oluwatoyin Bada, informed the court that an application had been filed on January 22, 2025, seeking an order compelling Bolanle to release the child for the DNA test.

 Bada said: “However, the order has not been obeyed.

There is an application before the court dated January 22, 2025, brought pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 63(1) of the Ondo State Child’s Rights Law, 2007,” Bada stated.

 Despite the court’s directives, Bolanle allegedly returned to Mr. B’s residence in January, 2025, causing a scene.

 The lawyer further alleged that she had sold a house purchased for her by the applicant for N40 million.

 The court was also informed that Bolanle had left two other children from previous relationships under the care of her mother, Mrs O. A and a 17-year old caregiver.

 Delivering her ruling, Magistrate Alphonso T.G. criticised the action of Bolanle’s grandmother, and held that the child should be removed from her custody to ensure compliance with the DNA test scheduled to take place in Lagos next week.

 The court ruled: ‘The order of the court was made on November 7, 2024, directing the conduct of a DNA test.

 This order has been flouted, and the respondent has since traveled out of the country.

 “The child will, therefore, be temporarily placed in a children’s home until the test is completed. The case was adjourned till May 13, 2025, for further hearing.