Legal Expert Sounds Alarm on Rising Paternity Fraud Cases in Nigeria
Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has brought attention to what he describes as a disturbing increase in paternity fraud cases within Nigerian households. In a detailed social media post, the legal practitioner shared his recent professional experiences that highlight this troubling trend.
Two Cases in One Week Highlight Systemic Problem
Effiong revealed that within just seven days, he had to handle two separate cases involving paternity fraud and marital infidelity. The lawyer emphasized the profound emotional impact these cases have on all parties involved, particularly the deceived husbands who discover they are not the biological fathers of children they believed were their own.
One particularly distressing case involved a woman who showed absolutely no remorse after being exposed for deceiving her husband about their child's paternity. According to Effiong's account, the situation became even more shocking when the woman attempted to blame her husband for the fraud she had committed.
Courtroom Breakdown and Lack of Remorse
The lawyer described a recent court proceeding where his client, a deceived husband, broke down in tears while testifying about the paternity fraud committed by his wife. "Watching our client break down in tears while leading him to testify about the paternity fraud committed by his wife had a profound effect on me," Effiong wrote in his social media post.
He continued with a disturbing observation: "Guess what? The woman is not remorseful, she blames our client for the paternity fraud she committed." This lack of accountability and remorse from perpetrators has become a concerning pattern in such cases according to the legal expert.
Widespread Problem Beyond Public Awareness
Drawing from his extensive experience representing both men and women in matrimonial cases, Effiong warned that paternity fraud appears to be more common than most people realize. He stated: "As someone who has represented both men and women in matrimonial cases, I can speak about this issue with a level of understanding. Paternity fraud seems to be more rampant than we think."
The lawyer used his platform to urge greater honesty in relationships, emphasizing that transparency and integrity form the foundation of healthy marriages and family structures.
Public Reactions Reflect Growing Concern
Social media responses to Effiong's revelations indicate widespread concern about this issue among Nigerians. Many commenters expressed dismay at what they perceive as an epidemic of paternity fraud with minimal consequences for perpetrators.
One social media user commented: "Naturally, women don’t like to be held accountable for anything they do wrong. They would always want to blame it on the man." Another added: "It’s already an epidemic & women now do it without remorse. Nothing breaks a man than this."
These reactions suggest that paternity fraud has become a significant social concern that requires broader discussion and potential legal reforms to address effectively.
Broader Context of Paternity Testing Debates
The discussion around paternity fraud occurs against a backdrop of increasing DNA testing in Nigeria, which has sparked debates about traditional values, religious beliefs, and modern scientific approaches to establishing parentage. Some religious leaders have expressed reservations about DNA testing, while many Nigerians advocate for its use to establish biological truth in questionable circumstances.
Effiong's revelations add important legal and emotional dimensions to this ongoing national conversation about marriage, trust, and family integrity in contemporary Nigerian society.
