A middle-aged Nigerian man, Ayodeji Obayan, has cried out for intervention after his wife took the sole decision of changing their children’s surname.
He sued his estranged partner, Lillian Obayan, and sought to establish paternity over his four children. Appearing before the Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Oke-Eda, Akure, Ondo State, expressed deep anger over the situation.
The move comes after she revealed that she had altered their children’s names to match her new lover’s surname.
Obayan vowed to pursue legal intervention to ensure his rights as the biological father of his children are upheld.
According to him, he decided to approach the court for its assistance following his wife’s decision to change their children’s surnames without his consent.
During his testimony before the court, Obayan stated that their 23-year-old marriage had been plagued by constant crises and abuse.
The distraught husband revealed that in 2019, Lillian packed her belongings and left their home to move in with another man.
According to him, to make matters worse, his estranged wife proceeded to change not only her name but also the surnames of their children to match the name of her new lover.
In her defence, Lilian referred to Obayan as an irresponsible husband who failed to take care of their children. She claimed he did not pay her dowry and noted that she found another man who wants the kids to bear his own last name.
She said; “Obayan is not a good husband to me and a good father to his children, as he doesn’t pay their school fees nor care about how they are living.
“He didn’t pay my dowry. So, I finally found a man to marry. And my new love wants my children to bear his name instead of that of their irresponsible father.
“Our children are old enough to choose for themselves as they are no more kids. My first two girls, Mayomi and Damilola, are 22 and 20 years old, while the boys, Ariyo and Aduragbemi, are 18 and 16 years old respectively.”
Magistrate Olusegun Rotiba, the court’s president, pleaded with the parties to allow peace to prevail between them.
He subsequently adjourned the case till September 28, for continuation and adoption of oral addresses.
