A middle-aged man, Mr Sunday Kasun, has asked an Upper Customary Court in Kaduna State to grant him custody of his 14-year-old son.
Kasun told the court on Monday that the teenager had been living with his maternal grandparents in Akwa Ibom State.
The child’s mother, Ms Gloria Udong, who is the defendant in the case, countered the claim, stating that she had been the only one responsible for the boy’s upbringing since birth.
Presiding over the matter, Ms Patience Musa had earlier directed the parties to attempt an out-of-court settlement and report the outcome to the court.
However, the defendant’s counsel later informed the court that the settlement efforts failed due to the inability of both sides to reach an agreement.
He requested that the case be adjourned for further hearing, noting that the claimant’s counsel, who was absent from court, had agreed to the adjournment.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until 23 February for continuation of hearing.
