The battle over paternity of a 16-year-old girl, identified simply as
Edith, has pitted two families against each other in the Isoko South
local Government Area of Delta State.
gooo/news/two-families-battle-over-paternity-of-girl-16/”>PUNCH Metro gathered that
the battle between the two families ─ Owhigho and Emokpor ─ in Iri
community might result in bloodbath.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the mother of the girl,
identified simply as Omovie, had been summoned by Owhigho family, whose
member she had a relationship with before her marriage to a member of
Emokpo family.
He said, “The Owhigbo family she had been pregnant
for two months before marrying her husband. The family members said
apart from the facial resemblance between the girl and other members of
Owhigho family, there was a generational birthmark discovered within the
neck region of the girl as also seen in some of the family members.
“But
the woman, who is from Enwhe community, said she had the daughter for
her husband, who she had been legally married to for 16 years.
“The
explanation was rejected as the Owhigbo family insisted on taking the
child after 16 years of being raised by Emokpor family. This has
continued to generate serious argument, which could explode into
violence anytime. The issue has also divided the community.”
Meanwhile,
the familes have been advised by concerned persons to seek medical
clarification through the DNA test to prove the paternity claim, despite
the woman’s rejection of the suggestion.
A leader of the
community, Chief Robert Akporah said both families claiming the
paternity of the girl would be taken before the community shrine.
He
said, “All of them, including the woman would swear before the shrine
to ascertain the veracity of their claims. As far as I am concerned,
that is the only way peace can reign.”