Matters of The Nigerian Bar

THE CONUNDRUM OF PATERNITY FRAUD: A LEGAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS | Clementina E. Ukiri, Esq.

The issue of paternity is foundational to family law, affecting matters of inheritance, identity, and maintenance. Paternity fraud, where a mother knowingly misidentifies a man as the biological father of her child, creates profound legal and emotional turmoil. While the request for a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test can be a source of conflict, it should be viewed not as an accusation, but as a definitive tool for establishing truth, offering a faithful mother an opportunity to affirm her integrity. Legal Framework on Paternity in Nigeria In …