I do not have capacity to pay my daughter’s school fees

A businessman, Harisu Yahaya, has told a Grade I Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the devil pushed him into getting his girlfriend, Maryam Muhammad pregnant.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Harisu was responding to a petition filed by Maryam, seeking maintenance claims regarding their six-year-old-daughter.

In his response, Harisu said that he did not have the capacity to pay his daughter’s school fees in the school her mother enrolled her in.

“I am the father of the child. I am not married to the plaintiff.  It is the work of the devil that I impregnated her,” he said.

The plaintiff, however, told the court that she would want Harisu to take custody of their child.

“He has parents and our daughter can stay with them. I will withdraw my petition for maintenance if he takes our daughter,” she said.

Responding, Harisu said that his mother cannot take care of his daughter.

Earlier, Maryam said that since the birth of their daughter, Harisu has not provided for their child.

“Harisu gave me N2,000 for feeding and sent another N2,000 for Sallah clothes, but neglected our daughter afterwards.

“I want the court to order him to provide for his daughter and pay her school fee,” she said.

The judge, Ibrahim Rufai, ordered Maryam to write a fresh application for custody and bring her daughter to court.