Lagos Twin Babies Abandoned Over Hospital Bill Reunite With Mother

The twins allegedly abandoned by their mother after birth in the Somolu area of Lagos have been reunited with the woman, Sarah.

It was learnt that Sarah got her babies back on Saturday after a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, and his wife, Funmi, intervened in the matter.

Sarah, who was thankful to members of the public for their interest and support, insisted that she never abandoned the babies, saying she loved them.

The news was first reported by Punch on January 5, 2017, that the babies were delivered at Felken Medical Centre, Somolu, after Sarah went through a caesarean section.

The hospital management had demanded N300,000 for the service, which the father of the babies, Adeyemi Ademola, could not immediately raise.

After paying N150,000, the hospital management had refused to allow the babies to go home with their mother, insisting that all the money must be paid.

Sarah was alleged to have abandoned the babies and fled the hospital after 2 weeks in the facility.

After the story was published, some Nigerians had rallied round the family and settled the debt.

Her husband had, however, vowed to keep the babies from their mother, describing her action as wicked and insensitive.

Sarah, while defending her action, told Punch that she fled Felken Medical Centre for the Gbagada General Hospital after the centre refused to treat her.

She claimed that after the family could also not raise enough money for her treatment at the state general hospital, she was rushed down to her hometown for treatment.

After some accusation and counter-accusations between the two families, the Falanas reconciled the parties on Saturday.

Mrs. Funmi Falana explained that her group, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, started the battle for the release of the babies after Adeyemi contacted her for help.

She said the maternity centre was about getting paid the balance of N150,000 when the story got to the media and another non-governmental organisation pre-empted her group.

Funmi said after the disagreement over the custody of the children started, the Falana Chamber invited the parties for several meetings.

She said, “We, however, agreed that he (husband) would be giving the babies N15,000 per month. He would buy them six tins of milk, etc.”

Although the couple lived in the Bariga area of the Lagos, they lived separately, as they man already has a wife at home but no child yet from his first wife.