Nigerian Barrister's Controversial Advice on DNA Tests Sparks Debate
A Nigerian legal practitioner has stirred significant conversation online after offering guidance to married women regarding their response when husbands initiate DNA testing on their children. Barrister Stella Justice Nnennaya, in a detailed Facebook post, outlined a specific course of action that has generated mixed reactions from both men and women across social media platforms.
Legal Guidance for Wives Facing Paternity Verification
According to the barrister's professional counsel, when a husband threatens to conduct DNA tests on offspring and the wife is confident about paternity, she should not obstruct the process. Instead, she should permit the verification to proceed without resistance. The crucial legal step comes after the test results confirm the husband's biological connection to the children.
Barrister Nnennaya emphasized that once DNA results return positive, the woman should immediately consult with legal representation to file a civil claim for breach of trust. The lawyer specifically recommended demanding compensation of one hundred million naira (₦100 million) for the violation of marital confidence and the emotional distress caused by the testing procedure.
Marriage as a Covenant Beyond Suspicion
The legal professional articulated a firm position regarding the nature of marital relationships, stating clearly that "marriage is not a testing ground for suspicion." Her advice carries the weight of legal authority as she warned wives against allowing husbands to escape consequences for undermining trust within the marital union.
In her exact words published on social media: "If your husband threatens DNA tests on your children and you know they are his. Let him do it. Once it comes out positive, go straight to a lawyer. File a civil claim for breach of trust and ask for ₦100 million compensation. Marriage is not a testing ground for suspicion. Let him test. Let him confirm. But don't let him get away with breaking your trust. Case closed. No room for appeal."
Mixed Public Reactions to Legal Counsel
The barrister's recommendations have generated substantial debate among Nigerian internet users, with opinions divided along gender lines and personal perspectives on marital trust.
Supportive voices argue that the advice empowers women to protect their dignity within marriages where husbands demonstrate unwarranted suspicion. They view DNA testing without cause as a fundamental violation of marital trust that deserves legal redress.
Critical perspectives counter that in an era of increasing paternity fraud cases, men have legitimate concerns about biological parentage. Several commenters questioned how the legal system would address situations where DNA tests reveal children are not biologically related to the husband, wondering about appropriate compensation for men in such circumstances.
One social media user questioned the comparison to automotive repair: "When a mechanic repairs your car and you want to test it before payment, is that too breach of trust? This law will drive us crazy one day, how is it an offense for me to confirm the paternity of my supposed children?"
Another commentator expressed concern about discouraging paternity verification: "With the rate of paternity fraud these days, you want to discourage the men from verifying all in the name of breach of trust."
Broader Context of Paternity Concerns in Nigeria
This legal advice emerges against a backdrop of increasing public discourse about paternity verification in Nigeria. Other legal professionals have previously encouraged DNA testing as a protective measure against paternity fraud, highlighting cases where men discovered they were not biological fathers after years of providing financial and emotional support.
The conversation reflects deeper societal tensions surrounding marital trust, gender dynamics, and legal protections within Nigerian family structures. As DNA testing becomes more accessible and culturally discussed, legal interpretations of marital rights and responsibilities continue to evolve within the Nigerian context.
This legal perspective from Barrister Stella Justice Nnennaya adds a new dimension to ongoing conversations about marriage, trust, and legal recourse in contemporary Nigerian society, particularly as technology enables verification methods that previous generations did not possess.
