Law Firm Assures Widows, Single Parents Free Legal Support

By Sunom Leo

A law firm based in Lagos, Olives and Candles, has said it was determined to continue to provide free legal support to widows and single parents.

The Lead Partner of the organisation, Mr Gbolahan Oluyemi, gave this assurance at an interactive session in the metropolis recently.

He explained that his decision to help widows and single parents was because of the difficulties these set of people face in caring for their children.

He used the occasion to encourage people above 40 years of age to embrace estate planning for the protection of their loved ones, noting that under the Child Rights Law, the child’s best interest should be the parents’ primary consideration.

According to him, children have the right to maintenance by their parents or guardians in line with the capacity of the parent, and this right subsists notwithstanding the relationship between the parents.

While attending to questions on the legal role of parents on their children, Mr Oluyemi mentioned that every parent or guardian has the legal duty to provide the necessary welfare, guidance, discipline, and education for the child in his/her care.

He stated that parents who default in their maintenance obligations can be directed by the court to provide the maintenance under Section 46 of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

The firm also made listeners realize that aside from the civil liabilities for not caring for children, there are also criminal liabilities for parents and guardians.

The Criminal Law of Lagos State makes it an offence for any parent or guardian of a child under the age of 12 years to desert such child without means of support. It is also an offence for any person to impregnate a lady and refuse to contribute to the medical, food, and necessary costs from ante-natal to post-natal stages.