Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has appealed to her former husband to grant her custody of their two sons, alleging that the children are being mistreated by their stepmother.
Bakare made the appeal in a video shared on Instagram, where she opened up about the custody disagreement and her concerns over the welfare of her children.
The actress said she initially preferred to keep the matter private but decided to speak out after what she described as growing fear over the situation and the failure of her previous complaints to bring about any change.
According to Bakare, the custody disagreement began after her separation from her former husband, whom she accused of limiting the amount of time their sons spend with her.
She alleged that the boys’ stepmother has not treated them well and recounted an incident in which she claimed to have overheard the woman instructing some boys on how to assault her children.
Bakare said the woman allegedly warned against beating the boys in areas where injuries could easily be seen and instead told them to strangle them.
She said she recorded the conversation and retained it as evidence.
“I’m currently not thinking straight. People say you shouldn’t take your problems to the public or social media, but when it gets scary and threatening, one has to speak out. My baby’s father and I don’t agree on some issues, which is why we separated. But now we are having issues with the custody of our children. He doesn’t want them to be with me as much as I want, and I’m not happy about it,” she said.
Explaining what prompted her public appeal, Bakare said she was particularly worried about the boys remaining with their stepmother.
“My worry now is about the boys being with another wife who isn’t treating them well. On one occasion, over the phone, I heard my baby’s father’s wife telling some boys not to beat my children where the scars would be obvious, but to strangle them instead. I recorded the conversation as evidence.
“I have complained to my baby’s father several times, but he has refused to act on it. Now, I’m crying out because I don’t want my children to be with their stepmother, whom I believe is a hypocrite. She behaves nicely whenever she sees me but turns mean and wicked when I’m not around.”
The actress further alleged that her former husband had prevented her from renewing the children’s passports, making it difficult for her to take them to the United States or have them live with her.
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“My baby’s father has also refused to allow me to renew their passports so I can send them to America or bring them to live with me. So please, help me appeal to my children’s father to give me custody of my boys.”
Bakare also sought advice from members of the public on how to handle the custody dispute and protect the interests of her children.
As of the time of this report, her former husband had not responded publicly to the allegations made by the actress.
Bakare, 45, was previously married to Olumide Okunfulure, an American-based businessman from Ondo State. Their marriage produced a daughter, Simi.
She later married Mutairu Orilowo, with whom she has two sons. The circumstances surrounding the end of their marriage to Orilowo have largely remained private.