A family court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, extended the interim custody of an eight-year-old boy to the state’s Ministry of Social Welfare, pending the determination of a dispute between his parents.

Justice Blessing Egwu gave the order during proceedings in a suit marked HC/FC/13/2026 involving a Deputy Registrar in the state’s judiciary, Edmund Ujong (applicant), and Ms Wofai Bassey Etim (respondent).

The dispute centres on the custody of the child, with both parents who have two other children together accusing each other of abducting the boy.

At the resumed hearing, each of the parties urged the court to grant them custody of the child.

However, the judge expressed displeasure with counsel to both parties for filing fresh motions on the eve of the hearing, a development the court said delayed proceedings and stalled progress towards a resolution.

The court noted that the last-minute filings hindered its ability to take substantive steps in the matter, warning against such practices.

Counsel to the respondent explained that their motion, filed on March 30, 2026, was to enable them respond adequately, confirming service of a counter-affidavit and seeking time to review processes before the court.

Similarly, the applicant’s counsel, James Ibor, told the court that they also filed and served their motion on the same date, requesting an extension of time to address new issues raised in the case.

Pending further hearing, counsel to the applicant urged the court to allow the child to remain in the custody of the Social Welfare Department.

In his ruling, the judge upheld the interim arrangement, directing that the child remains in the care of the Ministry of Social Welfare until the substantive suit is determined.

The court further ordered that both parents be granted access to the child at least twice weekly, subject to conditions set by the Welfare Department, and adjourned till April 28, 2026, for continuation of trial. (The Guardian)

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