Crisis of paternity test has kept two families in the Delta region in Nigeria at loggerheads over a young girl as a DNA test has been recommended to resolve the controversy.
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The battle over paternity of a 16-year-old girl, identified simply as Edith, has pitted two families against each other in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Punch gathered that the battle between the two families, Owhigho and Emokpor in Iri community might result in bloodbath.
A source, who spoke to on condition of anonymity, said the mother of the girl, identified simply as Omovie, had been summoned by Owhigho family, whose member she had a relationship with before her marriage to a member of Emokpo family.
He said, “The Owhigbo family she had been pregnant for two months before marrying her husband. The family members said apart from the facial resemblance between the girl and other members of Owhigho family, there was a generational birthmark discovered within the neck region of the girl as also seen in some of the family members.
“But the woman, who is from Enwhe community, said she had the daughter for her husband, who she had been legally married to for 16 years.
“The explanation was rejected as the Owhigbo family insisted on taking the child after 16 years of being raised by Emokpor family. This has continued to generate serious argument, which could explode into violence anytime. The issue has also divided the community.”
Meanwhile, the familes have been advised by concerned persons to seek medical clarification through the DNA test to prove the paternity claim, despite the woman’s rejection of the suggestion.