The law firm representing Sophia Momodu in her ongoing child custody dispute with singer Davido has raised concerns over what it described as attempts to intimidate legal practitioners following heated reactions on social media.
In a statement released on Monday, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors condemned what it called “inflammatory public statements” directed at one of its partners, Ebelechukwu Enedah, in connection with her conduct during proceedings before a Lagos State court.
According to the firm, the case remains sub judice and will be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and law.
“Our attention has been drawn to statements chiefly engineered by a Nigerian Afrobeat artiste, via social media, directed at our partner arising from her professional conduct in a custody matter presently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction in Lagos State,” the statement read.
The firm warned that efforts to harass or pressure legal practitioners for performing their professional duties could threaten the integrity of the justice system.
“If legal practitioners are to be threatened, intimidated, or exposed to harassment outside the courtroom for asking questions, testing evidence, or discharging their professional duty to their clients, then the very foundation of justice is imperiled,” it added.
The development followed emotional posts by Davido reacting to remarks made during cross-examination, including references to his deceased son. In one post, he criticised the lawyer who questioned him.
“You are a wicked human being. You are the worst lawyer ever. I beat you in court. You are not learned,” the singer wrote, while also stating, “I pray you never go through what me and my wife have gone through ever.”
The situation briefly escalated when Davido mistakenly implicated gospel artiste Tosin Bee in connection with the remarks.
Tosin Bee responded to clarify the misunderstanding, expressing sympathy and noting that the situation appeared to be a case of mistaken identity.
Punuka Attorneys called on the Nigerian Bar Association and members of the legal community globally to condemn actions that could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.
In a subsequent update, Davido announced his intention to withdraw the case, clarifying that he had sought joint custody rather than full custody.
“I never asked for full custody. I asked for joint custody. Nobody won, nobody lost, but Imade. There is nothing to celebrate,” he wrote, urging all parties to move forward.
