Mother seeks custody of daughter 4 years after alleged denial of access
By Christiana Nicholas
A mother, Firdausy Ibrahim, has filed a civil suit at an Upper Area Court, Mararaba Gurku, seeking custody of her six-year-old daughter who she says she last saw in 2022 when she was two years old.
The complainant, who resides at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area, described herself as the ex-wife of Bashir Sulaiman, the defendant in the suit.
She said the defendant is a public servant residing at Sani Mainaggi B, Kano.
She averred that the marriage was blessed with two children: a six-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son.
Ibrahim told the court that the defendant took their daughter when she was two years old and has denied her access to the child for the past four years.
She said her male child was still suckling at the time of separation.
She said all efforts to see her daughter proved abortive.
She, therefore, sought an order compelling her ex-husband to allow her access to their daughter, grant her custody of the girl, pay school fees for their son and cater for the children’s welfare.
“I have not set my eyes on my daughter since 2022, all efforts to see her have proved abortive.
“After our divorce on Jan. 4, 2024, I have been taking him to court to provide my daughter.
“As it stands now I don’t know the whereabouts of my daughter, I don’t know if she is alive or not,” she said.
Ibrahim said she has no pictures of her daughter and that she has not heard her voice, adding that the daughter won’t even recognise her as her mother.
She also averred that the defendant has used his connections to stop all efforts made by her to get her daughter back.
“I have filed so many reports, I have even been to his office to report the matter but he has used his connections to stop me from having access to my daughter.
“I pray that I get justice in this honourable court,” she said.
She further alleged that the defendant had not been paying the school fees, feeding or health care of her son who is with her for the past four years.
Ibrahim also averred that whenever she asked about her daughter, the defendant got upset and refused to allow her to speak with or see the child.
She claimed the defendant does not take responsibility as the father of the children.
Ibrahim prayed the court to grant her custody of both children, compel the defendant to bring back the daughter and order the defendant to pay their school fees.
The defendant, through his counsel, Gidado Mahmud, told the court to disregard all allegations from the complainant.
The judge, Mohammed Yakubu, adjourned the matter until June 24 for continuation of hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Magdalene Ukuedojor
