Sharia Court Sets October 28 for Hearing in Child Custody Battle Between Prince Ado Ibrahim and Ex-Wife, Adama Indimi

The Sharia Court of Appeal of the FCT, sitting in Gudu, Abuja, has fixed October 28 to hear applications in the ongoing child custody case between Prince Abdulmalik Ado Ibrahim and his ex-wife, Adama Indimi.

Prince Abdulmalik, son of the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, and Adama, daughter of billionaire businessman Mohammed Indimi, married on August 8, 2020, but divorced on August 26, 2024, at the Upper Area Court, Gudu. The union produced one child.

Citing Islamic law, which grants custody of an underage child to the mother while the father provides financial support, Adama’s counsel, Mohammed Aliyu, filed for full custody at the Upper Area Court, Kado. She requested monthly maintenance covering feeding, clothing, utilities, and a nanny’s salary of $2,000 plus ₦100,000, as well as payment of school fees and assistance with the child’s legal documents.

Prince Abdulmalik’s counsel, Darlington Onyekwere, did not oppose custody but offered to pay ₦1 million monthly instead of $2,000 and to pay school fees directly to the school. His team later sought to amend their counterclaim.

Adama’s counsel accused the prince of frustrating her witnesses and urged the court to compel him to appear personally and submit six months’ bank statements. The court granted the request, prompting the prince to appeal, alleging bias by the presiding judge.

Despite the appeal, Adama’s legal team asked the lower court to issue a bench warrant to ensure his appearance. The Upper Area Court, Kado, adjourned that matter to October 27.

At the appellate hearing, counsel Mark Asu-Opi, representing the prince, sought time to reply to a counter-affidavit filed by Adama’s team. Her counsel maintained the filing was within time.

After hearing both sides, the three-member panel led by Grand Khadi Ibrahim Rufai Imam adjourned proceedings to October 28 for full hearing of both parties’ applications.