Madonna case set for November

2006-10-27 14:28

Lilongwe - A coalition of Malawian rights groups was handed an extension on Friday to prepare its legal challenge to Madonna's bid to adopt an African baby, as the boy's father urged them to drop the case.

Judge Andrew Nyirenda adjourned the hearing until November 13 after lawyers for the singer, the rights group and the government appeared at a closed-door hearing at the High Court in Lilongwe.

"The hearing has been postponed until November 13 for the closed-door chamber to hear further arguments," Justin Dzodzi, a spokesperson for the coalition of 67 rights groups, told reporters outside the court.

Madonna's lawyer Allan Chinula confirmed that the case had been adjourned.

"The rights groups have been asked to prepare more arguments," he told reporters. "We have already given our evidence to the court."

The government was represented in the court by attorney general Jane Ansah, who was seen coming out of the chamber.

Dad is worried

The alliance of 67 rights groups alleges that the government breached its own laws by allowing 13-month-old David Banda to be flown out of the country to link up with the US singer at her home in London only days after she first applied to adopt him.

Would-be adoptive parents are usually subject to an 18-month period of monitoring and the rights groups believe the process was fast-tracked for the multi-millionaire, who was given an interim custody order earlier this month.

David's father Yohane had also travelled to Lilongwe for the hearing. He reiterated his call for the rights groups to drop the action over fears that Madonna could react by sending his son back to his poverty-stricken homeland.

"I gave David to Madonna with all my heart so that she should bring him up and give him a better life," he told reporters outside the court.

"I am worried about the case here because it might jeopardise the chances for David.

"I don't agree with the action taken by the rights groups. Where were they when Madonna came to Malawi to seek this adoption? I want David to be kept by Madonna."

- AFP