Fili, Prominent Adamawa Politician Denies Ex-Wife Access To Four Daughters For 12 Years

By Bukar BOLORI

A prominent political in Adamawa State, Prof. Caleb Fili has continued to use his political influence to deny his former wife, Ms. Zhihwi Mercy Tizhe access to their four daughters for twelve years.

Fili, who was a prominent member of the Labour Party in the state during the 2023 General Election broke up with his ex-wife twelve years ago and had kept the children from Tizhe, which compelled her to take to the court.

The former husband was alleged to have used his position to get the case protracted and kept the ex-women from having access to their four daughters.

The ex-wife thought her ordeal was over when she thought she has had a reprieve from then granted custody of her third and fourth daughters by the Upper Area Court Yola, under His Justice Buba Abubakar, on January 15, 2024.

However, her former husband thwarted her victory as he continued to refuse to comply with the judgment.

The case entered a new twist on Wednesday when the ministry of justice in Adamawa was alleged to have tried to force Tizhe to sign a paper forfeiting her right to custody of her two younger daughters who are still minors.

Addressing a news conference at the NUJ House in Yola on Thursday, She held a press conference Thursday at NUJ, in Yola, Tizhe, a staff of the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) project, alleged that Professor Caleb Fili, has refused to comply with the judgment, using his influence and connections to frustrate the process.

She decried that she has been denied access to her daughters, who are currently under the care of their paternal aunt.

Tizhe said her protestations to the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, the Governor, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, had yielded no positive result.

She equally alleged that the Ministry of Justice in Adamawa State had attempted to compel her to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would nullify the existing court judgment, which she resisted by insisting that no MoU can override a valid court judgment.

Tizhe’s case has sparked concern about the plight of women and children in similar situations. Her story highlights the need for a more efficient and effective judicial system that prioritizes the rights and welfare of vulnerable individuals.

Despite her best efforts, Tizhe has been unable to access her children, who are reportedly being denied parental affection.

She appealed at the press conference for intervention from the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations.

She said the Adamawa State government has a responsibility to ensure that justice is served and the rights of citizens are protected, insisting that this case is a test of the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the vulnerable.

She lamented that her ordeal since the case started 12 years ago has taken a toll on her health, family, and professional responsibilities.

She said: “I lead a national inclusion programme but has been stranded in Yola for weeks, missing an international conference in Abuja, just waiting for justice that keeps slipping away.”

She added that: “The failure to enforce judgments undermines public confidence in the judiciary. It is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address my grievances and ensure that justice is done.”