A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest of Eniola, the son of telecommunications guru, Mike Adenuga.
The chief magistrate, Mr T.A. Elias, in a ruling on Thursday, August 16, 2018, said the 28-year-old was in contempt of court for refusing to give the custody of his child, Anthena, to the mother, Damilola.
Elias said Eniola should be arrested until he gives “full custody of the subject (Anthena) to the respondent (Damilola).”
It was reported that Eniola and Damilola dated during which the 25-year-old became pregnant and had the child.
Disagreement allegedly broke out between the duo and their families, resulting in a legal battle for the custody of the child.
Our correspondent had reported that in September 2017, the Magistrate’s Court at Tinunbu Lagos gave an interim order which awarded the custody of the child to the mother.
While Eniola was given unrestricted access to the child, he was, however, asked to pick her every Friday and return her to the mother on Sunday.
The arrangement was said to have been running smoothly until May 18, 2018, when the father, in company with two policemen, allegedly took Athena from school and failed to return her to the mother.
The law firm of Falana & Falana Chambers had written a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, accusing Eniola of abduction.
Mrs Funmi Falana, on behalf of her client, filed an ex parte application on May 25, 2018, seeking the release of the child to the mother.
She said Damilola had been traumatised by the incident, adding that she was afraid for the child’s safety.
The application was granted by a magistrate, Mrs M.R. Osho-Adebiyi, who ordered Eniola to produce the child.
He was further ordered to appear before the court to explain why he should not be charged for contempt of court.
However, Eniola’s lawyer, Victor Amalu, filed a motion on notice on August 7, 2018, praying for a stay of execution of the order.
Amalu also asked that the contempt of court application be set aside.
He said it was not right for orders to be given when Eniola was not represented to defend himself.
Punch
[espro-slider id=17536]