Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare, has raised concerns over the safety of her two sons, alleging that they are being maltreated while in the custody of her former husband, Mutairu Atanda Orilowo.

Bakare made the allegations in a video shared on Instagram, where she appealed to the public to help her resolve an ongoing custody dispute with Orilowo. The actress said she decided to speak publicly after what she described as a frightening situation involving her children.

According to Bakare, she and Orilowo have disagreed over the custody of their sons since their separation, with the actress alleging that her former husband has prevented the boys from spending as much time with her as she wants.
She said her main concern was not simply the custody arrangement but what she alleged was happening to the children while they stayed with their father and his wife.
“My worry now is about the boys being with another wife who isn’t treating them well,” Bakare said.

The actress alleged that she once overheard a conversation involving her former husband’s wife and some of the children while she was on a phone call. Bakare claimed that the woman instructed one of the children not to beat her sons in a way that would leave visible marks but instead to strangle them.

She said she recorded the conversation and had raised her concerns with Orilowo several times. “I have complained to my baby’s father several times, but he has refused to act on it,” she alleged.

Bakare further accused her former husband of using the custody arrangement to punish her, claiming that he had refused to allow her to renew the children’s passports so she could take them to the United States or have them live with her.

The actress appealed to members of the public to intervene and help persuade Orilowo to grant her custody of the boys. “Please, help me appeal to my children’s father to give me custody of my boys,” she said.

Bakare and Orilowo married in 2013 and have two sons together. The actress was previously married to American-based businessman Olumide Okunfulure, with whom she has a daughter, Simi.

Bakare, who has previously spoken publicly about her daughter and parenting, has continued to maintain a public presence through her acting career and social media platforms.

The latest development has drawn attention online, with Bakare’s allegations generating discussions about children caught between separated parents and the importance of prioritising their welfare during custody disputes.
However, the allegations remain claims made by the actress, and there has been no independent confirmation of the alleged maltreatment.

As of the time of filing this report, Orilowo had not publicly responded to Bakare’s allegations. The actress’ appeal comes as she continues to seek a resolution to the custody dispute, with the safety and welfare of her sons at the centre of her concerns. Nigerian law generally places the welfare and best interests of children at the centre of decisions involving custody, guardianship and access.

The issue of children and separated parents has previously generated public attention, particularly where disagreements over access and custody become public. Family disputes involving children have also featured prominently in Nigerian entertainment news.