Ambassador Abandons Children, Wife Tells Court
By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo
WIFE of Dr. Alex Anigbo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Claudia Anigbo yesterday told an Ikeja High Court headed by Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu how her husband allegedly abandoned the three children of their marriage for five years.
Mrs. Anigbo, a housewife who has a dual citizenship (German) made the claim as she sought the order of the court to dissolve their 18-years-old marriage claiming that it has broken down irretrievably.
Led by her counsel, Mr. A. M. Lawal, Mrs. Anigbo said it is scandalous that a father who is immensely wealthy and is ambassador for over 10 years with postings to Asia, Africa, Europe, America and the Caribbean neglects his children and fails or refuses to meet their financial needs.
She alleged that the respondent, Dr. Anigbo earns big salary and enjoys an extensive list of privileges and perks.
The respondent, she added, in addition to being a career diplomat, is an international businessman with a long list of companies and various enterprising ventures including nine vehicles, 28 landed properties, containers, among others.
She further alleged that the respondent, since abandoning her and the children aged 18, 17 and 7 on September 10, 2004 in Abuja, failed to provide a safe and comfortable home for them.
"He also failed to assist in their rehabilitation and upkeep and has consistently frustrated the children's schooling by refusing to pay for their educational needs in whole and on time.
"He schemed and selected me as his spouse with premeditated intention to exploit and take advantage of me, used me to further his professional ambition by registering me and the children to claim allowance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Also, our second born, Martin is a graduate whose testimonial was withheld at the graduation ceremony due to outstanding fees, in spite of several calls to him by Martin and the school bursar. All the children always have outstanding fees and risk being sent away from school and not partaking in exams and graduation ceremonies," Mrs. Anigbo alleged.
But counsel to Dr. Anigbo, Mr. Alumona, while responding to the allegations of neglect and refusal to pay fees, said his client never neglected his responsibilities as a father.
Alumona stated that Dr. Anigbo wants his children to live with him in Abuja noting that the petitioner, Mrs. Anigbo wants to create barrier between him and his children and blackmail him with the children.
Mrs. Anigbo is praying the court to order the respondent to provide a safe and comfortable accommodation for the children and her, provide for the children's education, medical insurance, a car and continuous custody of the children.
She also prayed that the respondent be ordered to pay her all entitlement dues her under the Marriage Act and all items confiscated from her by the respondent, properties and a monthly allowance of N100, 000 each for feeding of the children subject to a review of 10 per cent annually.
The case was further adjourned to July 16, that is Thursday next week.
