A Federal Capital Territory Family Court sitting in Wuse Zone II, Abuja, has restrained Precious Chikwendu, the ex-wife of former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode from making comments that could lead to the identification of children whose custody issues have been submitted before it for determination.
The trial magistrate Njideka Duru, gave the order following a motion moved by the applicant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, to the effect, Tribune reports.
The magistrate, thereafter, granted the order of interim injunction restraining Chikwendu “from publishing the names, address, school, photographs or making any comment, presenting any speech or paper whether at a public gathering or during a programme described as ‘Green Shift’ (Apostolic Roundtables) slated for February 24.”
She also granted the order restraining the ex-wife from commenting “on any social media platform of any information likely to lead to the identification of any of the children whose custody issues have been submitted to this court for determination pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
Adedipe, in the motion, marked: MN/05/2022 filed on February 14 on behalf of Fani-Kayode, prayed the court for four orders, which include “an order granting leave to the applicant, to amend the originating process filed in this case.
He sought for an order of substituted service on the respondent of the amended originating motion, motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and hearing notice.
The lawyer also sought for an order setting down for hearing in camera, the conduct of any or all proceedings in this case, in the best interest of the children involved; to preserve their respective rights to dignity and privacy.
He also asked the court for an order of interim injunction stopping Chikwendu or associates from making presentations at any public gathering or social media platform of the broken relationship.
The magistrate, who granted the orders for substituted service and to amend the originating process, also granted reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4(b) of the application.
She adjourned the matter until March 24 for a hearing.
Chikwendu, an ex-beauty queen, was on February 14, docked before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, for the attempted murder of her former husband, Fani-Kayode.
Though pleaded not guilty in the charge number: FHCABJ/CR/1/2022 filed by the FCT Commissioner of Police against her and three others, the ex-wife was alleged to have attempted to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on November 24, 2018, at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction.
Prosecuting counsel, John Ijagbemi, had also told the newsmen that the complainant planned to amend the charge to include an attempt by Chikwendu to kill the four children she had for the ex-minister going by the facts available to the police.
Justice Ekwo had fixed April 27 for the trial.
Chikwendu, who was accused of infidelity by the former minister, was also said to have withdrawn various civil cases filed against Fani-Kayode.
Although the duo had parted ways, the former minister said Chikwendu had always been given access to her children under closed supervision due to her alleged mental challenges which could result in hurting the children.
The former minister had also alleged that Chikwendu stopped calling the children on the telephone for about seven months now contrary to her habit in the past.
