Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has provided a detailed account of his recent experiences handling sensitive cases of paternity fraud, highlighting the severe emotional impact on his clients and the troubling lack of remorse displayed by one of the women involved.
Emotional Courtroom Testimonies
According to Effiong, he has attended to two separate cases of paternity fraud and marital infidelity within the last week alone. One case was presented in open court, where the lawyer witnessed his client break 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 a social media post dated Wednesday, January 21, 2025.
Lack of Remorse and Blame-Shifting
The lawyer revealed that in one particularly distressing case, the woman involved showed no signs of remorse for her actions. Instead, she attempted to shift blame onto her husband for the paternity fraud she had committed.
"Guess what? The woman is not remorseful, she blames our client for the paternity fraud she committed," Effiong noted, emphasizing the psychological complexity of such cases.
Multiple Cases of Emotional Distress
Effiong confirmed that both male clients in these cases experienced significant emotional breakdowns during the legal proceedings. The victim in the first case he handled earlier in the week also broke down tearfully just days before the court appearance.
The lawyer expressed that witnessing these emotional responses had a profound effect on him personally and professionally, given his extensive experience representing both men and women in various matrimonial cases.
Rising Concerns About Paternity Fraud
Effiong raised serious concerns about what appears to be an increasing prevalence of paternity fraud cases in Nigeria. "Paternity fraud seems to be more rampant than we think," he stated, suggesting that many cases likely go unreported or undetected.
The Role of DNA Testing
The human rights lawyer highlighted the crucial importance of DNA testing in addressing paternity fraud cases. "Thank God for the availability of DNA test. Life can be simpler," he wrote, acknowledging how modern technology has made it possible to establish biological relationships with scientific certainty.
Effiong emphasized that as someone who has represented clients on both sides of matrimonial disputes, he can speak about these issues with a balanced perspective and deep understanding of the emotional and legal complexities involved in paternity fraud cases.
