Henry Edet Unung, a father of three, has been ordered by the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo to be arrested and held at the Uyo Correctional Centre for a month due to his refusal to care for his own children.
The state commissioner of police, CP Ayilara Adedamola, is carrying out this directive.
The respondent’s wife and the mother of the three children filed the lawsuit, and on Thursday in Uyo, the court presided over by Justice Ntong Ntong issued the order of committal.The respondent knowingly disregarded the November 9, 2018, court order and ruling of Justice Iboro Ukpanah, his brother judge, according to Justice Ntong.
The “court made an order that the respondent should pay N20,000 monthly as maintenance allowance, including a bag of rice, beans, garri, and other food items for his own children, in addition to payment of their school fees, medical needs, clothing, and other necessities,” the man further recalled.
The father of three “blantly refused to abide by the court order, which amounts to contempt and a wanton disrespect and affront to the majesty of the court,” the judge declared.
In September 2019, the court ordered the Registrar of the court to issue the respondent with Form 48 pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 13 of the Judgement Enforcement Rules, and Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act 2004.
“The respondent refused to obey,” Justice Ntong further recalled, reminding him to follow the court’s orders.Judge Ntong labelled the respondent’s actions as “satanic,” noting that he is in flagrant violation of the court’s orders and cannot escape punishment.
“A court’s right to punish anyone who disobeys its orders is inherent and legitimate,” he stated.
“Although the power should be used sparingly, he will make the respondent realise that the welfare of his own children should not be abandoned.”
“The police are to hold the father of three in jail custody for one calendar month before he is brought before the court to clear his name of the contempt,” Justice Ntong commanded.”
By Section 1 of the Child Rights Law 2008 of Akwa Ibom State, any decision taken in any proceedings involving children should generally be made in the best interest of the child or children,” the speaker continued.
On Thursday, March 28, 2024, is the new date set for the case.