Mrs. Gloria Nneka Nmama has alleged that her ex-husband denied her access to their child after accusing her of infidelity and demanding that she undergo traditional cleansing rites.
Speaking on the Brekete Family programme on Human Rights Radio and Television, Gloria said her former partner claimed she had relationships with other men and insisted she travel to his village to perform cleansing rituals and sacrifices before she could see their son.
“My husband accused me of sleeping with other men so he told me to go do cleansing and sacrifice in his village,” she said.
Gloria argued that the ritual in question is traditionally reserved for women legally married under the customs of the community and maintained that their relationship did not meet those requirements.
According to her, she has been separated from her child since June 9, 2015. She further alleged that her ex-husband used traditional beliefs and threats to discourage contact, including claims that the child could die if he interacted with her or ate food she prepared.
The emotional account has drawn public attention and renewed discussions about child custody disputes, emotional abuse, and the use of cultural and spiritual beliefs in family conflicts. Gloria said she has spent years seeking intervention from various authorities in an effort to reunite with her son.
