Mothers & Sons Law Chamber.

28/05/2026

Impregnate and Disappear? In Lagos, That Is a Criminal Offence.

It started as an ordinary afternoon in the office.

A colleague and I were deep in conversation when a senior colleague walked in. I cannot say what caught his attention or what triggered the thought, but he paused, looked at me, and said quite matter-of-factly:

“Daniel, do you know that if you impregnate a woman in Lagos and abandon her, it is a criminal offence?”

I was genuinely surprised.

I pushed back instinctively. After all, I am working. I can take care of myself and others. And while marriage may not be immediately on the cards, responsibility is not a foreign concept to me. But the statement stayed with me long after he walked out.

Out of curiosity, I reached for my phone and went online to verify.

The first result I encountered cited Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. But upon reading it, I discovered it dealt with the offence of child stealing. I was confused. Something was clearly wrong.

Further reading revealed the truth. The reference to Section 277 was a journalist’s error, one that had been copied and republished across multiple platforms without anyone pausing to verify. The correct provision is Section 279 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and it addresses precisely what my senior colleague described.

That small discovery reminded me of something important. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But misinformation about the law can be just as dangerous.

So What Does Section 279 Actually Say?

In substance, Section 279 provides that any man who has sexual in*******se with a woman, causes her to become pregnant, and wilfully neglects or refuses to make reasonable contribution towards her antenatal, delivery, and postnatal expenses commits a criminal offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or imprisonment.

Read that again.

This is not a civil matter. It is not a family court application. It is a criminal offence, carrying the possibility of a fine or imprisonment upon conviction. The legislature in Lagos State made a deliberate decision to treat the abandonment of a pregnant woman not as a moral failing alone, but as a crime.

When Will a Man Be Found Guilty?

Consider this. Emeka and Sade are in a relationship. Sade becomes pregnant. Upon learning of the pregnancy, Emeka blocks her on every platform, denies responsibility, and contributes nothing. Not a kobo for antenatal visits. Not a word when she delivers. Not a thought for postnatal care. Sade, left to carry the burden entirely alone, reports the matter.

Emeka is in serious trouble.

He will likely be found guilty where he had clear knowledge of the pregnancy and did nothing, where paternity is established by his own admission, credible testimony, or DNA evidence, where his conduct shows deliberate wilfulness, blocking contact, going silent, denying responsibility publicly, and where he had the financial capacity to contribute but simply chose not to.

The law is clear. Causing a pregnancy is not consequence-free. It creates a legal obligation, not just a moral one.

When Will a Man Not Be Found Guilty?

But the law, properly applied, is not a blunt instrument.

A man may successfully defend himself where he genuinely had no knowledge of the pregnancy. You cannot wilfully neglect what you were never told existed. However, in the age of WhatsApp and instant messaging, claims of total ignorance will face hard scrutiny in court.

He may also defend himself where he made reasonable contributions, even modest ones. A man who transferred money, accompanied her to an antenatal visit, or paid for medication occupies a different legal position from one who vanished entirely. Wise men keep records. Bank transfers, receipts, and messages are evidence.

Where paternity is genuinely in dispute, a man cannot be expected to assume financial liability without more. Nigerian courts have increasingly accepted DNA evidence in resolving paternity disputes, and a legitimate dispute contextualises non-contribution, even if it does not automatically excuse it.

Financial incapacity is also a defence, but it must be proved. A man who was genuinely destitute at the material time cannot be convicted for failing to give what he did not have. Courts will however examine this carefully. Poverty is a defence. Selective poverty is not.

Finally, where a woman refuses the man’s contributions or cuts off all communication, he cannot be held liable for a default not of his making. But this defence must be grounded in evidence. Good intentions without proof carry little weight in court.

Have the Courts Spoken on This?

In the interest of honesty, Section 279 remains a largely underutilised provision. There are no widely reported appellate decisions specifically interpreting its scope. This is likely because many victims are unaware the law even exists, as the conversation that prompted this piece confirms. Many matters are resolved informally, through family pressure or private settlement. And many complainants are quietly discouraged from pursuing criminal proceedings.

But the legislative intent is consistent with broader judicial thinking. The Child’s Rights Act, 2003, domesticated in Lagos State, firmly establishes that both parents bear responsibility for a child’s welfare. In Ukeje v. Ukeje (2014) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1418) 384, the Supreme Court demonstrated a clear willingness to ground family law decisions in biological and evidentiary reality, signalling the judiciary’s receptiveness to modern standards of proof in matters of parentage.

As awareness grows, and conversations like the one in my office suggest it is growing, prosecutions will follow. And with prosecutions will come the judicial interpretation this provision has long deserved.

A Final Word

I looked up from my phone that afternoon and sat quietly for a moment.

A provision this significant, hiding in plain sight. Misattributed by journalists. Unknown to most of the people it was designed to protect. And yet very much alive on the statute books of Lagos State.

For men, the message is simple. Causing a pregnancy creates a legal obligation. That obligation does not dissolve with the end of a relationship, a denial of paternity, or the comfort of silence. Contribute. Document your contributions. Stay reachable.

For women, the message is equally important. The law sees your vulnerability in this circumstance and provides a remedy beyond the civil courts. Knowing this provision exists is the first step toward enforcing it.

And for everyone, the lesson from that afternoon endures.

Pay attention. Verify what you read. And never mistake ignorance of the law for safety from it.

Daniel Abraham, Esq.
(Lagal Practitioner and Writer, Lagos State)

25/03/2026

THE COURT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A STAGE FOR MEDIA BRIEFING

Courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public not as arenas for performance, but as sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice. Their openness promotes transparency and public confidence, yet it also imposes a duty of restraint on all who enter. Access to the courtroom is therefore a right exercised within boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority. The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose.

It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr. Omoyele Sowore, yesterday March 24th, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Mr. Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by a number of individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment. He proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself. Members of his team attended to him, fanning his face and tidying his appearance in a manner akin to a broadcast setting.

He subsequently moved into the inner bar, sat on one of the tables, and, as cameras were directed at him, began addressing what he described as “a range of national issues.” Notably, Mr. Sowore’s case was not listed for hearing, and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner during this episode. The development led to tension within the courtroom and a confrontation with learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum.

Courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice. Any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law. The use of a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.

While every Nigerian, including Mr. Sowore, is entitled to attend and observe court proceedings, such right must be exercised responsibly and with due regard to courtroom decorum. Public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court, whether or not the court is in session.

The NBA therefore condemns Mr. Sowore’s disruption of the courtroom environment and expresses solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and all lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum. We also call on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice and free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners in the discharge of their professional duties.

The NBA will continue to defend the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings. The courtroom must remain a place of order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access, not spectacle, confrontation, or disorder.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association

19/03/2026

The Dance of a Mad Man

They say the dance of a mad man is only funny when he is not your relative.

That was the thought running through Mr. Banda’s mind as he stood quietly at the back of the classroom, watching the chaos unfold. Chairs scraped against the floor, students whispered in nervous excitement, and in the center of it all stood Kelvin, a boy barely seventeen, shouting words that did not belong in the mouth of a child.

“You’re all messed up,” Kelvin spat, his voice loud and sharp. “This school is sh*tty. None of you know what you’re doing.”

The class fell silent for a moment. Not because they agreed, but because they were shocked. Some students exchanged glances. Others looked down, pretending not to hear. A few, however, smirked, entertained by the spectacle.

And that was the problem.

From outside the classroom window, a group of students recorded the scene on their phones. Later, they would share it, laugh about it, and even defend Kelvin. They would say he was “brave,” that he was “speaking his truth,” that teachers needed to be “checked.”

But Mr. Banda did not see bravery. He saw something far more troubling.

He saw a boy who had lost his sense of boundaries.

He stepped forward, calm but firm. “Kelvin,” he said, “that is enough.”

But Kelvin was not done. He turned, eyes burning with defiance. “You think I’m scared of you? When I see you outside, I’ll deal with you. Kabwata is not your classroom.”

A ripple of murmurs spread across the room.

Threats. Open threats.

Mr. Banda paused. Not because he was afraid, but because he was thinking. Thinking about how a boy this young could speak like this, stand like this, threaten like this, without a single ounce of hesitation.

Where did he learn this?

Later that day, the video circulated. And just as expected, the reactions poured in.

Some condemned Kelvin’s behavior. But many did not.

“They provoked him.”

“Teachers need to respect students too.”

“He’s just expressing himself.”

Mr. Banda read the comments slowly, his heart growing heavier with each line. It wasn’t just the boy that worried him anymore. It was the voices behind the screens, the people who saw nothing wrong.

He thought of a question.

What if the teacher in that video was your father?

What if the woman being insulted was your mother?

Would it still be funny?

Would it still be “expression”?

Or would it suddenly become disrespect?

That evening, he visited Kelvin’s home.

It was a small house, quiet and modest. Kelvin’s mother welcomed him with tired eyes and polite manners. She apologized before he even spoke, as if she already knew.

“I try,” she said softly. “But he doesn’t listen anymore.”

Mr. Banda nodded. He had seen this before. A child shaped not just by the home, but by the world around him. A world that had slowly blurred the line between confidence and disrespect, between freedom and chaos.

The next day, Kelvin returned to school quieter than before. Not transformed overnight, but shaken. The conversation at home had not been easy.

And for the first time, some of the students who had laughed began to feel uncomfortable.

Because the dance was no longer entertaining.

It was too close.

Mr. Banda stood before the class and spoke, not with anger, but with clarity.

“Respect is not about fear,” he said. “It is about understanding value. If you cannot respect the people who teach you, guide you, and correct you, then you will struggle to respect anyone at all.”

He paused, letting the words settle.

“A society that celebrates disrespect will eventually suffer from it.”

Silence filled the room.

No laughter this time.

Because slowly, they were beginning to understand.

The dance of a mad man is only funny when he is not your relative. But when it becomes your brother, your son, your reflection, it stops being entertainment.

It becomes a warning.

I remain your humble friend❤️

Daniel Abraham, Esq.

19/03/2026

Please help

My sister d!ed after 4 days of doing C's while trying to satisfy her husband on bed.💔😭💔 It happened that my sister has been passing through alot in the hand of her so called husband sex*u@lly without telling any of her family member, my sister got married in the year 2021 and she had 5 kids already for her husband. Three boys and two girls yet the husband is not satisfied until he k!!lledd my sister sister while trying to make love with her after 4 days of giving birth through C's.

Even when he was trying to have his way on my sister that very night, my sister told him that she's still having p@ins all over her body that he should atleast give her 2 weeks for her to be fit again but the husband refuse instead thre@tenèd to bring in another woman in their matrimonial bed if he refuse him from making love with her. Out of fe@r my sister allowed him to satisfy himself just for him to be happy.

He did not do it once but instead he go 3 rounds just to satisfy himself not minding my sister's health condition 🥲, that very night around midnight my sister started having heavy blēèèding and we rushed her to the hospital. All this are happening my sister refuse telling any of her family member because she's trying to save her marriage and answer married woman.

It was when they got to hospital things became worst they had to put call on me been her elder sister and I rushed in to the hospital, I saw my sister laying hopelessly with heavy tears on her face, I forced her to talk to me, she tried talking to me but tears couldn't allow her. As her elder sister I tried consoling her, making her to feel free and tell me what happened to her, it was then she started saying ' sister I'm sorry
I have failed our mother, she warned me never to get married to my husband but I disobeyed her , now my husband has sent me to my early gr@vē.
She told me how the husband has been forcing himself on her even when she's not in the mood. She gave birth to 5 kids within 4 years in their marriage yet the husband still have the guts to force himself on her even inside p@in, a woman that just gave birth with C's just 4 days ago.
Now he has finally k!!llèd my sister and he think he will get away with it. Over my de@d body will I allow him to get married to another woman not after k!ll!ng my sister because that's his plan. He will marry my sister in life and in de@th till the day he will join my sister to the land of no return 🥲. Let this teach some people lesson. Always consider your spouse health condition and also control your self as a person. Can't men stay 1 year without having an affair with any woman. Men this days are not like our forefathers anymore that stay ages without che@ting on their spouse. It's a pity my sister go this way 🥲 Rip to my lovely sis.

Look at him in the picture shading crocodile te@rs after sending my only sister to her early gr@ve.🥲

Women put yourself first before man.

Copied

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

Did he actually mean it?

18/03/2026

Courtroom Shock: Judge Orders Lawyer to Kneel — Counsel Defies Order, Calls It “Unknown to Law”
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal High Court when Justice Umar reportedly ordered a lawyer representing activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to kneel during proceedings — a directive the counsel flatly refused, insisting that such punishment has no place in Nigerian law.
According to accounts from the courtroom, tensions escalated after an exchange between the judge and the defense team. In a moment that stunned observers, the judge allegedly instructed the lawyer to kneel as a form of discipline. The counsel pushed back immediately, arguing that the order was not recognized under the country’s legal framework and would undermine the dignity of the legal profession.
The refusal created a charged atmosphere in the courtroom. Lawyers present reportedly murmured in disbelief, while others described the directive as deeply troubling for judicial decorum and the rule of law. Critics argue that court authority must be exercised through legally defined sanctions, such as contempt proceedings — not personal humiliation.
The incident has since sparked intense reactions across Nigeria’s legal and civil society circles. Many observers say the episode raises uncomfortable questions about judicial temperament, professional respect, and the boundaries of courtroom discipline. In a legal system built on procedure and precedent, they argue, punishment must remain grounded strictly in the law.
Online, Nigerians reacted with a mix of disbelief and frustration. Some questioned whether such an order reflects a broader culture of intimidation in certain courtrooms, while others defended the judge’s authority to maintain order — though even they acknowledged that compelling a lawyer to kneel appears extraordinary and difficult to justify legally.
For many watching the story unfold, the central concern goes beyond one confrontation. It touches on something more fundamental: whether the courtroom — the very place meant to defend citizens’ rights — can itself become a stage for actions that challenge the principles of justice and professional dignity. ⚖️
The controversy is likely to intensify calls within the legal community for scrutiny and clarification of what exactly transpired — and whether disciplinary measures or formal complaints may follow.

18/03/2026

EFCC Fined N500,000 For Seeking Multiple Adjournments In Emefiele’s Trial

Justice Hamza Muazu of a Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday, imposed a N500,000 fine on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for seeking multiple adjournments in the trial of ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele is charged with criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that Emefiele obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general election. The EFCC also accused Emefiele of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charge. Justice Muazu imposed the fine on the anti-graft agency over failure to produce the witness (PW13) DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo, in court to give evidence as scheduled, which led to adjournment. The DCP was on the team that investigated Emefiele in the alleged fraud.

Earlier, counsel for the EFCC, A.O. Mohammed, informed the court that the witness, though notified of the need for his presence in court, was not in available due to administrative procedures.

The prosecution specifically told the court that he was directed by the Force Headquarters to write a formal letter to the Inspector-General of Police requesting the presence of the DCP. He said that he promptly wrote the letter as directed.

However, the DCP later told him that he had a personal matter in another court in Gwagwalada, FCT, where his personal account was under garnishee order. Mohammed, therefore, pleaded with the court to grant him an adjournment to produce the witness in court. However, Matthew Burkaa, counsel to Emefiele vehemently opposed the request for adjournment.

Burkaa referred the court to Section 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limited each party to only five adjournments from the arraignment till final judgment.

In the instant case, he said, EFCC had been granted adjournments eight times as against the provisions of the law. He added that the prosecution made its choice by allowing the witness to choose personal matter above the official engagement.

Burkaa argued that the anti-graft agency requested accelerated trial of the case. He added that between 2023 to date, the court had indulged the prosecution with eight adjournements and prayed the court not to grant any more.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed with the defence counsel, but however, stated that the court still retains discretion for an adjournment if it is in the interest of justice. He held that an investigator was not one that should be shut out in a matter of such nature.

He, however, imposed a fine of N500,000 on the anti-graft agency for delaying the trial despite being granted accelerated hearing. Justice Muazu then adjourned until April 27, for continuation of the trial.

18/03/2026

Court Upholds Nigerians’ Right to Film Police on Duty, Awards N7m D@mages for Rights Violation

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while they carry out their duties in public.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens documenting their activities.

The court also awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in d@mages for the violation of his fundamental rights, alongside N2 million to cover litigation costs.

By granting all the reliefs sought, the court reinforced the right of Nigerians to freely document police actions in public spaces without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Uwaifo described the judgment as a major step forward for accountability.

“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” he said in a statement shared with newsmen on Tuesday.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights.”