| NAME OF CLIENT |
CASE |
ACTION TAKEN |
| Miss X and Mr. Y |
Miss X, a 39-year-old mother of three, separated from Mr. Y on April 8, 2023, due to inadequate support, domestic violence, and religious disagreements. A negotiation on September 14, 2023, resulted in an agreement on child support and school expenses. By March 19, 2024, Mr. Y showed remorse and proposed reconciliation plans. As of July 9, 2024, they are making progress, having visited Miss X’s parents for counseling and planning a formal marriage. |
WELA facilitated mediation between Miss X and Mr. Y to negotiate the terms of their separation, including child support and school expenses. A separation agreement was drafted and finalized on September 29, 2023. We also provided support for their reconciliation efforts, including counseling sessions to address their issues. Additionally, we assisted in planning a traditional wedding and registry visit scheduled for October 2024. A new agreement is being prepared to be finalized prior to the wedding to ensure all terms are clear and agreed upon. |
| Mr. A |
Mr. A reported that his late sister’s daughter, an eleven-year-old girl, was being maltreated by her stepmother. Mr. A highlighted the stepmother’s withdrawal of the child from school and the father’s prolonged absences due to his naval duties. Concerned for the child’s safety, Mr. A requested that she be rescued from the abusive environment and proposed that custody be granted to the child’s grandmother. |
We initiated correspondence with the child’s father and collected photographic evidence showing the child’s attempt to escape from the stepmother’s home. This evidence was provided by Mr. A, who also reported the incident to the authorities. Efforts are ongoing to address the situation and ensure the child’s safety and well-being. |
| Mrs. B |
Mrs. B, a fashion designer, has been separated from her husband for the past three years. On December 25, 2023, her husband took their two children under the pretext of spending the holiday with him. Despite assurances that the children would return by January 8, 2024, for the new school term, they did not. Mrs. B later learned that her husband had taken the children to their village, but she has not seen or had contact with them since then. |
WELA has been actively involved in locating the husband, who has been evading service. We engaged the Human Rights office in Ikorodu and recorded a formal statement with the police. Reports indicate that the husband was sighted in Lagos. Attempts to serve a letter at his workplace faced resistance from the receptionist. WELA continues to work on ensuring the children’s return and resolving the matter. |
| Mrs. C |
Mrs. C sought assistance for her son, who was on the verge of dropping out of Law School to pursue a music career. She had supported his music ambitions financially but was concerned about the influence of his associates. |
WELA facilitated the meetings and guidance sessions with Mrs. C and her son. We advised him to complete Law School before pursuing music, which he did. We even secured a recruitment test for him at a reputable law firm, which he passed. WELA also connected him with a prominent and reputable musician who is now mentoring him. Mrs. C later informed us that her son had been called to the bar and will soon start working at the law firm where he had written the exam. |
| Miss X |
Miss X, a single mother of two, reported that the father of her children, Mr. Y, was negligent in fulfilling his parental responsibilities. Although Mr. Y agreed to a monthly child support payment, he insisted that the children attend public schools, which Miss X opposed. The issue was publicized on social media, leading to a defamation lawsuit from Mr. Y. A DNA test confirmed Mr. Y as the father, and he is now seeking custody of the children. |
WELA provided legal counsel to Miss X to defend her position in the custody dispute and to ensure Mr. Y fulfills his parental obligations. |
| Ms. D |
Ms. D, a 32-year-old makeup artist and single mother of two young boys, reported that the father of her children, a musician, has been neglecting his parental responsibilities. Despite agreeing to a monthly child support payment of ₦50,000, he insisted on public schooling for the children, which Ms. D opposed. After multiple failed attempts to resolve the issue amicably, Ms. D publicized her situation on social media, leading to media coverage and a defamation lawsuit from the father. He initially denied paternity but was confirmed as the biological father through a DNA test. The situation has become more complicated as he now seeks custody of the children. |
WELA has been involved in addressing the issues raised by Ms. D. We have supported her in defending against the defamation lawsuit and are assisting her in ensuring the enforcement of the father’s parental obligations. WELA continues to provide legal counsel to protect the well-being of Ms. D’s children and address the custody claims. |
| Miss V |
Miss V, an accountant at a College of Education in Lagos State, Nigeria, reported financial mismanagement within her department. Following her whistleblowing, the college management imposed disciplinary measures and eventually terminated her employment on March 25, 2024. Miss V sought legal redress for what she perceived as unjust retaliation. |
WELA advised Miss V to keep her position despite the potential termination. When the termination occurred, a letter of demand was written to the college, requesting the withdrawal of the termination and the payment of all accrued entitlements. The case is ongoing. |
| Ms. R |
Ms. R, a 31-year-old single mother of two girls, has accused the father of her children, Mr. B, of neglecting his parental responsibilities. Mr. B denies paternity of the first child but acknowledges the second as his and has requested a DNA test for the first child. Initially, Mr. B provided ₦5,000 monthly for the second child’s upkeep but stopped after being contacted by WELA. Ms. R seeks for Mr. B to fully support both children’s education. After WELA’s intervention, Mr. B agreed to increase his financial support to ₦20,000 and requested access to his daughter. However, Ms. R claims that Mr. B has not been consistent with the payments and has only managed to cover the child’s school fees. |
WELA facilitated communication between Ms. R and Mr. B, resulting in an agreement for increased financial support and access to the child. Despite these efforts, Mr. B’s inconsistency in payments has been noted. WELA continues to monitor the situation and supports Ms. R in ensuring Mr. B fulfills his financial and parental obligations. |
| Mrs. O |
Mrs. O has requested legal representation for her divorce petition. She has been separated from her husband for three years, and he has expressed a desire to gain custody of their three children. Mrs. O is focused on safeguarding her rights and those of her children. |
WELA has assigned a lawyer to represent Mrs. O and is providing the necessary legal support throughout the divorce proceedings. The focus is on ensuring the protection of Mrs. O’s rights and the well-being of her children. |
| Mrs. E. |
Mrs. E., a 51-year-old baker and events planner, has been married to Bishop N. for 22 years. They have two young sons. Mrs. E. reported numerous instances of domestic violence in their marriage, initially physical, but now emotional. She also accused Bishop N. of multiple instances of infidelity. Mrs. E. has expressed her desire to end the marriage. |
WELA is presently providing Mrs. E. with legal advice and support as she seeks to dissolve the marriage. Efforts are underway to address her concerns and ensure a fair resolution. |
| Ms. T
|
Ms. T, a single mother of a 4-year-old boy, reported that the child’s father, Mr. O, has not been contributing to the child’s welfare and is contesting paternity. Mr. O, a driver, has requested a DNA test to confirm paternity and is willing to donate blood for it. Despite providing information on several DNA test centres, Ms. T has been unable to afford the cost of the test, leaving the paternity issue unresolved and Mr. O’s financial responsibilities unmet. |
WELA has facilitated the identification of DNA test centres and communicated this information to Ms. T. The organization is exploring options to assist with the financial aspect of the test and is working to address the unresolved paternity issue to ensure Mr. O’s responsibilities are acknowledged and met. |
| Mrs. M |
Mrs. M, widowed in 2012 and remarried to Mr. D in 2013, has accused her husband of various serious issues, including theft, gambling with her airtime, domestic violence, infidelity, and mismanagement of compensation from her late first husband. She also claims that Mr. D has expelled her from their home and fails to financially support the household. Mr. D, in turn, has accused Mrs. M of breaking his phone, infecting him with HIV, and committing domestic violence. He asserts that he provides ₦15,000 monthly for family expenses. Despite these conflicts, Mr. D wishes to continue the marriage. Mrs. M is seeking custody of their son, currently in the care of Mr. D’s mother, and is uncertain about continuing the marriage. |
WELA has initiated a review of the allegations and is working to facilitate mediation between Mrs. M and Mr. D. The organization is also exploring options for Mrs. M to secure custody of their son and addressing the financial responsibilities and well-being of the family. The goal is to reach a resolution that ensures the best interest of the child and provides clarity on the future of the marriage. |
| Mrs. B |
Mrs. B, a widow, sought our assistance following the death of her husband, who was employed at a university in Lagos State and passed away on February 20, 2023. At the time of his death, he was living with a mistress, who is also employed at the university. The university issued the death certificate to the mistress instead of Mrs. B. Mrs. B, who had four children with her late husband, is uncertain if the mistress had any children with him and is concerned that the insurance money may be awarded to the mistress. Mrs. B is seeking help to ensure her and her children’s rights are protected. |
WELA has written the university contesting the issuance of the death certificate and any potential claims to insurance money. The case is ongoing. |
| Ms. P |
Ms. P, a 50-year-old single mother and trader, has a 10-year-old daughter from a relationship with a prominent politician. She reported that the politician initially neglected their daughter’s financial needs until late 2022, just before elections. During this period, he sought forgiveness and promised financial support. However, after the elections, he ceased all contact and support, leaving Ms. P to struggle with the sole responsibility of caring for their child. |
WELA is assisting Ms. P in seeking legal redress to secure the financial support owed for her daughter and address the issue of abandonment. We have written to his office and are presently awaiting a reply. |
