The weight of abandonment pressed down on Mrs. A.L. like a cold winds. In early January 2024, she and her two young children, aged 4 and 2, were forced out of their Abuja home after her husband, Mr. I.L., declared that his family had found him a “better wife.” Despite a long history of abuse and an earlier attempt at reconciliation, his threats escalated – reaching a breaking point when he gave away their children’s wardrobe. Left homeless and vulnerable, Mrs. A.L. and her children had to spend a desperate night in at the government hospital, Karshi.
Mediation attempts failed, and finding temporary refuge at her mother’s home in February 2024, Mrs. A.L. continued to face relentless harassment. Mr. I.L. defamed her, cut off child support, and demanded a bride price refund in exchange for her personal documents. In a moment of profound desperation, Mrs. A.L. reached out to AWJAI.
Recognising the urgency and gravity of her situation, AWJAI immediately stepped in. We assigned a lawyer to initiate divorce proceedings, offering Mrs. A.L. a pathway towards legal separation and a fresh start. In addition, we supported her in filing a formal petition with the FCT Police Command to demand the retrieval of her seized belongings from Mr. I.L.
At AWJAI, our commitment goes beyond legal aid – its about empowering survivors and advocating for their rights in every aspect of their lives. For Mrs. A.L., our intervention offered a beacon of hope amid profound distress – a promise of justice, a chance to reclaim her life, and secure a better future for her children.
