Relationships
Man claims wife can’t get IVF in Nigeria, begs UK court to stop deportation
Olutobi Ogunbawo, a Nigerian national, has told a tribunal in the United Kingdom (UK) that his wife cannot undergo the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure in Nigeria.
Ogunbawo, 43, is fighting a planned deportation to Nigeria on human rights grounds after he was issued a notice by the UK government in 2019.
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), IVF occurs when an egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.
The fertilised egg, called an embryo, is then returned to the woman’s womb to grow and develop.
THE CASE
In October 2019, a UK court convicted Ogunbawo of “conspiring/assisting unlawful immigration and seeking to obtain leave to enter/remain in the UK by deception”.
He was sentenced to three years in prison.
He was accused of plotting with his then pregnant wife, Maria Adesanya, to pay Adekunle Adeparusi, a British citizen, to register himself as the father of their child.
Ogunbawo was said to have believed that the move would enable his wife, and the child could stay in the UK.
Following the conviction, in November 2019, Ogunbawo was issued with a deportation notice to Nigeria.
However, he approached a first-tier tribunal on immigration to stop the deportation on human rights grounds.
During the tribunal proceedings, Ogunbawo’s wife told the tribunal that the chances of her conceiving would be ‘non-existent’ in Nigeria if her husband is deported to his home country.
Maria also told the court that IVF treatment centres are not available in Nigeria.
In January 2023, the first-tier tribunal ruled that it will be “unduly harsh” to deport Ogunbawo.
The tribunal dismissed the deportation notice issued against him.
The first-tier tribunal judge identified as Malone in court documents based his judgment on the claim that Ogunbawo’s wife cannot get IVF treatment in Nigeria.
But the claim that an IVF procedure cannot be done in Nigeria is untrue.
Displeased with the decision of the first-tier tribunal, the UK secretary of state for the home department approached the upper tribunal.
THE LATEST JUDGMENT
On November 4, 2024, the upper tribunal held that the judge of the lower tribunal should not have relied on the personal evidence given by Maria that there were no IVF treatment centres in Nigeria.
The upper tribunal judges agreed with the assertion of the UK secretary of state for the home department that a simple Google search will reveal the existence of IVF centres in Nigeria.
The upper tribunal dismissed the judgment of the first-tier tribunal and ordered that the case should be returned to the lower court.
“We conclude that the judge erred in exclusively relying upon Ms. A’s (referring to Maria) personal evidence when finding as a fact that IVF treatment is unavailable in Nigeria,” the upper tribunal ruled.
“In circumstances where neither party filed objective evidence as to the availability of IVF treatment in Nigeria, the judge failed to address in his reasoning as to how Ms. A had formed her personal view.
“Whilst it may have been her subjective view that the treatment is unavailable, the judge was required to assess and determine the objective fact of whether IVF treatment is available in Nigeria or not.
“For example, we cannot discern from the judge’s decision whether he concluded that IVF treatment is unavailable based upon a bald assertion from Ms. A without her having performed any research into what IVF treatment is available in Nigeria, or equally whether his finding is based upon oral evidence detailing efforts she made in contacting hospitals and clinics in Nigeria about offering fertility treatment.
“We observe the Secretary of State’s unchallenged assertion before us that even the most basic Google search reveals the existence of IVF treatment in Nigeria.
“The Secretary of State’s appeal is allowed to the extent that the decision of the First-tier Tribunal is set aside in its entirety.
“The appeal is to be remitted to the First-tier Tribunal to be heard by any judge other than First-tier Tribunal Judge Malone.”
Relationships
5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas
You know how we do in Naija when Christmas is just around the corner. This is the season of jollof rice, family vibes, and, of course, amazing gifts.
Now let’s be real when it comes to gifts. People are tired of boring and occasional gifts like Ankara fabrics, bland gift cards, and hampers, as these things fade away as soon as they are consumed. So this year let’s talk about five thoughtful gifts that’ll blow your partner’s mind and make this Christmas one for the books. These aren’t just gifts; they’re pure vibes.
Here are 5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas.
1. Personalised jewellery
First up, we’ve got personalised jewellery. Trust me, this one hits every single time. Personalised gifts like this show your partner that you’ve put thought and effort into it.
Think about a necklace with their name, a bracelet engraved with your anniversary date, or a cute ring with a special message like “My Babe Forever.” Whether they wear it to Sunday service or flex it at a wedding, personalised jewellery is not just a gift; it’s a memory they carry with them.
There are plenty of Naija jewellers who can customise something stunning for you. Add a nice box and a handwritten note, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier gift that screams, “I care about you.”
2. Experience gifts
Sometimes, we just need a break from the daily hustle and city heat and traffic, and that’s why experience gifts are such a vibe.
It could be a weekend staycation in a luxury hotel, tickets to a Burna Boy or Asake concert, or even a relaxing spa date to help them recover from the December rush. For the adventurous ones, how about paragliding in Jos or hiking in Obudu?
It’s not just the experience itself; it’s the memories you create together. And trust me, you’ll be in their good books for a long, long time.
3. Custom photo book
Now this one is pure romance that brings back all the beautiful memories. Imagine creating a custom photo book filled with all the memories you and your partner have shared. From the cute selfies you took during your first date to the epic road trips or even those funny moments during wedding prep.
You can add captions like, “This was when we got stuck in Ajah traffic for five hours!” or “Our first beach date in Tarkwa Bay.” It’s more than just a gift; it’s your relationship in a book.
And the best part is that the memories are sweet, sentimental, and priceless. You can sit down together, flip through the pages, and laugh over all the memories.
4. Subscription boxes
Another perfect gift for your partner this Christmas season is a subscription box. Imagine your partner receiving a surprise package every month. It’s like Christmas 12 times a year.
From gourmet Nigerian snacks (think plantain chips, chin chin, and cashew nuts) to skincare products or even fitness gear, there’s a subscription box for everyone.
5. Handwritten love letters
In this digital age of WhatsApp messages and emojis, handwritten love letters are seriously underrated. Remind them why you fell in love, recount your favourite memories, and share your dreams for the future. You could even hide these letters in unexpected places—tuck one in their handbag or slide another under their pillow.
The beauty of a handwritten letter is that it lasts forever, even long after Christmas; your partner can pull it out, read it, and feel all warm and fuzzy. You can also add some local touches, like using Ankara stationery or a traditional wax-sealed envelope, and another gift, such as a photo album or a piece of jewellery.
Selecting a thoughtful gift for your partner this Christmas does not have to be difficult. These suggestions, ranging from personalised jewellery to handwritten love letters, emphasise the significance of effort and sentiment in gift-giving. The best gifts reflect your particular connection, making this season not just joyous but unforgettable.
Relationships
Tiwa Savage opens up about her divorce from TeeBillz
Tiwa Savage, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz‘ Balogun, her ex-husband.
The duo divorced in 2018 after efforts to resolve the differences in their marriage proved abortive.
In an interview with The Receipts Podcast, the ‘Kele Kele’ hitmaker revealed that her ex-husband was responsible for the divorce.
The award-winning songstress said at the time, she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.
The 44-year-old singer said she faced intense criticism from the public, with many attacking her without giving her a chance to share her side of the story.
She also recalled how some prominent figures advised her to remain silent about the incident to protect her reputation.
“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart when I started and I could do no wrong in Nigerian’s eyes. I did everything by the book. I went to university and I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married then I had a baby so I did everything in the right order and everybody loved me and then everything happened,” she said.
“Then I started getting hate from blogs and I started getting hate from certain people. The way our situation happened, he announced it online. I didn’t break up with him but I was the one being attacked.
“At the time, my baby was just a few months old and I was dealing with postpartum and my body wasn’t the same and I was depressed. Everyone then went to him and only a few people came to see me.
“After I interviewed to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like ‘How dare you go and talk’ ‘You’re a woman and you’re supposed to build the house, it’s your fault’.
“I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story cuz I’d never win. Ever since then, I was like I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it and blamed me.”
She added that the experience was an “eye-opener” that made her become “wild and carefree”.
“It was an eye-opener for me and it made me depressed for so long. It got me angry then I became the ‘African Bad Girl’,” she added.
“I thought to myself that after doing everything right I was still attacked. Then I started getting tattoos and wearing short skirts and bikini. I was just wild.”
Relationships
Actress Etinosa Idemudia remarries in Lagos
Etinosa Idemudia, the Nigerian actress, has tied the knot again, this time with a white man.
Etinosa took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself and her lover, whose name and nationality are yet to be revealed.
In the accompanying caption, the actress wrote, “I don carry my two left enter new relationship. Please wish me well ❤️ 💍”.
In another Instagram post on Thursday, Etinosa shared a photo from their legal wedding ceremony held at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos.
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