The Sharia Court of Appeal of the FCT in Abuja has fixed October 28 to hear crucial applications in the contentious child custody dispute between Prince Abdulmalik Ado Ibrahim and his ex-wife, Adama Indimi.
This legal conflict involves two figures from highly influential Nigerian families:
- The Prince: Prince Abdulmalik Ado Ibrahim is the son of the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, a prominent traditional ruler in Kogi State.
- The Bride: Adama Indimi is the daughter of Nigerian billionaire businessman Mohammed Indimi, the founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources.
The couple married in a highly publicized wedding ceremony on August 8, 2020. Their union was brief, producing one child before they were formally divorced on August 26, 2024, at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja.
The Custody Dispute and Financial Demands
Following the divorce, the focus immediately shifted to the custody and maintenance of their minor child.
- Mother’s Claim: Citing Islamic law, which typically grants custody (hadhanah or nurturing) of an underage child to the mother while the father maintains financial responsibility, Adama Indimi’s counsel, Mohammed Aliyu, filed for full custody at the Upper Area Court, Kado.
- Maintenance Demands: Adama requested substantial monthly maintenance, including:
- A monthly allowance for the child covering feeding, clothing, and utilities: $2,000 plus ?100,000.
- A nanny’s salary.
- Payment of school fees.
- Assistance with the child’s legal documentation.
The Legal Conflict
The case became convoluted following a series of contentious court motions:
- Father’s Counter-Offer: Prince Abdulmalik’s counsel, Darlington Onyekwere, did not initially oppose custody but offered a lower monthly payment of ?1 million (instead of the $2,000 equivalent) and offered to pay school fees directly to the institution.
- Allegations of Obstruction: The legal dispute escalated when Adama’s team accused the Prince of frustrating their witnesses and requested the court to compel him to appear personally and submit six months’ worth of his bank statements—a request the court initially granted.
- Prince’s Appeal: In response to the order and the pressure from the lower court, the Prince appealed to the Sharia Court of Appeal, alleging bias by the presiding judge in the Upper Area Court.
- Bench Warrant Motion: Despite the ongoing appeal, Adama’s legal team pressed the lower court to issue a bench warrant to compel the Prince’s appearance, with that particular matter adjourned until October 27 at the Kado court.
At the Sharia Court of Appeal hearing on the Prince’s appeal, the three-member panel, led by Grand Khadi Ibrahim Rufai Imam, adjourned the proceedings to October 28 for a full hearing of both parties’ applications and counter-affidavits.
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