Nigeria is facing a troubling trend of paternity fraud, where an alarming number of men are discovering that the children they have raised and loved are not biologically theirs as reported by Punch News. This issue has been thrust into the spotlight, leaving homes torn apart and families plunged into chaos as the fragile nature of family bonds is exposed.
The story of Olanrewaju Kolawole, a 44-year-old man who collapsed into a seven-day coma after DNA tests revealed he was not the father of any of his four children, has captivated audiences across Nigeria and the diaspora. Kolawole's tale of betrayal and heartbreak unfolded after 16 years of marriage to his wife, Toyin, who disputed the results, claiming she was not present when the samples were taken.
In another case, a crypto enthusiast, Stephen Moses, detailed how he discovered his first child was not biologically his. Moses, who got married in 2016, found out his son had a sickle cell genotype, leading him to conduct a DNA test that revealed the child was not his. His wife initially blamed "the enemy" and refused to take a maternity test, further fueling the controversy.
These stories are just the tip of the iceberg, as the latest report from a leading Lagos-based DNA testing center, Smart DNA, revealed that nearly 27% of paternity tests conducted by the center returned negative results. This means that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
The report also highlighted an increase in DNA tests for immigration purposes, necessary for processing paperwork for children. Regarding gender dynamics, the data showed that men requested 88.2% of all tests, compared to 11.8% initiated by women.
Biotechnologist Benson Okorie emphasized the accuracy of DNA tests, stating that they are 99.9% reliable. He explained the testing process, which involves analyzing genetic markers to determine the child's relationship to the potential father and the person who gave birth to them.
Netizens reacted to the report, with many decrying the trend of paternity fraud and blaming it on sexual promiscuity and deceit. Some users suggested that the issue stems from a "nation of subdued, festering promiscuity" where married women secretly sleep with other men and pass off the children as their husbands'.
In response to the findings, the President of the non-profit organization One Love Foundation, Patrick Eholor, called for the National Assembly to pass a law making paternity tests compulsory after childbirth. He believes this would ensure fidelity among couples and prevent the trauma experienced by men who discover they are not the biological fathers of their children.
Legal practitioner Idam Maduabuchi explained that the current legal frameworks in Nigeria, such as the Matrimonial Causes Act and the Penal Code Act, do not adequately address the issue of paternity fraud. He suggested that victims of paternity fraud may have the right to seek damages under civil law, as the criminal laws in Nigeria do not consider it an offense.
Religious leaders, including a pastor and a Muslim cleric, condemned paternity fraud as a sin and a violation of religious teachings on adultery and fornication. However, an Ifa priest claimed that the Yoruba culture has traditional DNA methods to determine paternity, which are being abandoned in favor of modern religious practices.
The growing prevalence of paternity fraud in Nigeria has sparked intense discussions and calls for legislative action to address this issue, which has shattered the trust and stability of many families. As DNA testing becomes more accessible, the true scale of this problem is being unveiled, leading to a reckoning that demands urgent attention and solutions.
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