A foster mother, Cynthia Salami, has called on the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development to obey a court order mandating the release of a four-year-old girl, Salami Penuel, who has been in the ministry’s custody since March 4, 2025.
The child, who has been with Salami since birth, was removed from her care and placed at the state’s Children Reception Center (Home for the Needy) following a complaint by her biological mother, Ayanniyi Oluwatobi.
Despite an interlocutory order issued by the Family Court in Ilorin on March 28, 2025 and served on the Commissioner for Social Development on April 7, the child has yet to be returned.
At a press briefing in Ilorin on Monday, Salami accused the ministry of ignoring the court’s directive.
“Penuel is not a needy child.
“She is being kept among less privileged children despite having a loving home, family, and resources. This is nothing short of emotional and psychological abuse,” she said.
Salami detailed how she met Oluwatobi in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown when the then 19-year-old was brought to church in an “unresponsive state.”
According to Salami, her family took care of Oluwatobi and later supported her throughout her pregnancy and the birth of Penuel.
“Tobi never showed maternal care. She didn’t breastfeed the baby. I had to buy formula, baby food, and provide constant care,” Salami said.
“She abandoned Penuel, only to return after two years demanding custody.”
Following the custody dispute, Salami said she was summoned by the Ministry of Justice and Social Development.
“I was asked to present the child for inspection but was shocked when the Ministry ordered me to hand her over to the Home for the Needy without any warning or formal hearing,” she said.
Salami sought legal redress, and the Family Court granted her temporary custody on March 28, but the child remains with the ministry.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Maryam Nnafatima-Imam, through the ministry’s legal counsel, stated that the state government has filed a process to set aside the court’s order.
“The child is with the state government and is secured. This is with the consent of the biological mother,” the commissioner’s representative said.
“The mother is alive, and we do not grant interviews on child-related cases as it is illegal.”
The legal battle continues as Salami pushes for enforcement of the court’s directive.
