A Port Harcourt businessman alleges his estranged wife, a senior EFCC officer, has denied him access to their twin children for almost a year, violating a court order and impacting the children's education.
A distressing situation has unfolded in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where a father, Mr. Olatunbosun Olawoyin, claims he has been denied access to his twin children for almost a year. The children are 11 years old. His estranged wife, a senior officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), is alleged to be responsible for this prolonged separation.
Court documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES reveal a complex legal battle surrounding the custody of the children, with a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt having granted Mr. Olawoyin custody pending the finalization of the divorce proceedings. The court order, issued on March 29, 2021, allowed the children to visit their mother during school holidays and select weekends, provided their location was communicated to the father. The court order emphasized the importance of maintaining the children's schooling and welfare, requiring both parents to adhere to these conditions without written consent. The judge who initially presided over the case, S.O. Benson, has since retired and passed away in 2023, leading to the transfer of the case to a new judge. Mr. Olawoyin alleges that his wife has deliberately violated the court order by refusing to return the children to him after he released them for the 2025 Easter holiday. He further claims that his wife subsequently relocated the children from Port Harcourt to Kaduna without informing him, and has blocked him from communicating with them for the past month since January. This sudden relocation has left him in the dark regarding their whereabouts and educational status.\Mr. Olawoyin expressed his desperation, stating he has not seen his children since April 13, 2025, describing their situation as a practical kidnapping, as he has no knowledge of their current location or the schools they attend. He fears the disruption to their education, particularly a six-year scholarship awarded to one of the twins in Port Harcourt, is now at risk. In a series of petitions submitted to various authorities, including the EFCC, the Kaduna and Rivers State Police Commands, the National Human Rights Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Mr. Olawoyin has detailed the alleged persistent violations of his rights and those of his children. He describes himself as a distressed father fighting for his children's well-being. The couple married on September 21, 2013, and welcomed their twins on October 26, 2014. Following the breakdown of their marriage, Mrs. Olawoyin filed for divorce in August 2020, and Mr. Olawoyin filed a counterclaim. Mr. Olawoyin asserts that his wife’s refusal to return the children on April 23, 2025, after the Easter holiday, was a direct contravention of the court order. The twins were in JSS 1 at a private school in Port Harcourt at the time of their relocation. The father's concerns extend to the potential loss of the scholarship. On May 10, 2025, the law firm Owubokiri & Co., representing Mr. Olawoyin, formally reported the “abduction” of the children to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, attaching a certified copy of the court ruling. The situation has severely impacted the child's academic future. A letter from their school in Port Harcourt, dated October 6, 2025, confirms that one of the twins has not resumed school since May 5, 2025, which puts the scholarship at risk. Mr. Olawoyin has stated that the withholding of the children by his wife in Kaduna is the direct cause of the disruption to their education. He characterizes the situation as parental alienation, emotional abuse, and a violation of the children’s rights to a stable family life and education.\This case highlights the emotional toll of family disputes, especially when children are caught in the crossfire. The father’s struggle underscores the importance of upholding court orders and protecting the rights of both parents and children during divorce proceedings. The actions taken by the estranged wife, if proven true, constitute a serious disregard for legal directives and a breach of parental responsibility. The legal and emotional battle has put the children's education and well-being at risk. The situation raises serious questions about the enforcement of court orders and the accountability of individuals, particularly those in positions of authority. The repeated attempts to gain access to his children, and the denial of that access, has created significant distress for Mr. Olawoyin. His reliance on the legal system to address the situation further illustrates his dedication to seeking a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of his children. This incident underscores the profound impact that parental conflict can have on children, leaving them vulnerable to emotional distress, educational disruptions, and a sense of instability. The ongoing investigations by multiple authorities, including the EFCC and the police, will determine the full extent of the allegations and hold those responsible accountable. The case also sheds light on the complex intersection of family law, child welfare, and the challenges faced by separated parents in ensuring the well-being of their children. The resolution of this case will set a precedent and influence the future handling of similar situations
Child Custody Divorce Parental Alienation EFCC Court Order Family Dispute Education Nigerian Law Legal Battle Parental Rights
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