Re P (Inherent Jurisdiction Return: Allegations of Female Genital Mutilation and Domestic Abuse: Fact Finding and Return Order: Welfare Analysis
17th February 2023
Christopher Hames KC and Charlotte Baker acted for the Father and Michael Edwards for the Child, in the father’s application for the return of P to Nigeria following her abduction in 2019. P was removed from Nigeria without her father’s knowledge and with documents which the mother had obtained by forging the father’s signature.
Although findings of domestic abuse were made against the father, the mother’s allegations that he had threatened to perpetrate FGM on the child were not. At the subsequent welfare hearing, the Court ordered the child’s return to Nigeria subject to various conditions, but the order is not yet able to be implemented as a consequence of parallel proceedings in the First tier Tribunal where the mother is appealing the SSHD’s refusal of asylum.
The two judgments can be read in full here: