I have no access to my children, UI Professor tells court

A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Sikiru Babarinde, yesterday, told a Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, that his wife, Dr. Bilikis Babarinde, has been preventing him from having access to their three children.

Babarinde, through his counsel, Mr. Yusuf Anikulapo, told the court at the resumed hearing of the divorce suit that Balikis has continued to deny his client access to his children.

Anikulapo accused the plaintiff’s counsel of foot-dragging and not being eager for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Responding, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Funmiso Idowu, objected to the allegation, adding that the respondent knew where to find his children.

According to Idowu, the respondent knew the children’s school and could visit them there anytime he wishes, but choose not to see them.

The council, who has just taken over the matter from the previous lawyer handling the matter, informed the court that he needed time to respond to the respondent’s application for a stay of proceedings and subsequently requested an adjournment.

Responding, the President of the court, R. B Gbadamosi, said she is not in support of the plaintiff denying the respondent access to the children and delaying in the hearing of the matter.

She awarded a cost of N10,000 against the plaintiff for delaying the matter and adjourned to July 18 for a definite hearing in the interest of a fair hearing.