The Sunshine Fund - Rebuilding My Life
Donation protected
On the 19th of November 2021, with my three children aged four (4) years, two (2) years, and two (2) months old at the time, I fled a dangerous and abusive marriage and escaped to Canada for my safety.
It has been a long and arduous journey navigating the legal landscape in Canada and Nigeria post my separation but my fight for myself and my children continues.
Status of Canadian Legal Matter [Completed]
Matter decided - JURISDICTION.
The Canadian courts (lower and higher) declined the jurisdiction to decide custody and ordered a return of my children to Nigeria.
Reason stated: My children and I though citizens, were not habitually resident in Canada prior to my arriving with them and they felt it inappropriate to now intervene. They decided that the courts in Nigeria should adjudicate the matter.
Seeing as I was the unsuccessful party, I have been ordered by the courts to pay my ex-husband’s legal expenses and court fees in the amount of $45,000.
Status of Nigerian Legal Matter [Ongoing]
Matter to be decided - DIVORCE & CUSTODY
I am the Respondent to a Divorce and Custody Petition filed by my ex-husband and his family to the courts in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Reasons stated within the Petition -
- I “look and behave like a man”,
- I am “mentally unstable”, “undomesticated and not the primary caregiver of our children",
- I am “a member of the LGBTQIA+ community”,
- I am a “bra burning feminist”, and an “atheist'',
- "thus making her an unfit mother."
Any one of the above allegations would easily condemn a person in a deeply religious and culturally conservative country such as Nigeria.
It has been/is nauseating to have to defend myself given this backdrop but I nonetheless must do so.
I am grateful for all the support I've received from my community and I'm hopeful that I will eventually meet my fundraisering goal.
Here is a breakdown of the expenses for which I am fundraising:
$45,000: Court ordered fees to be paid to my ex-husband’s legal team.
$35,000: Debt incurred for my own legal fees.
$30,000: Therapy and living expenses as I build the bandwidth and strength to find my feet again in Canada and become gainfully employed.
**Additional funds raised will be put towards rebuilding my life and providing for my children**
Please continue to keep me in your prayers and share my gofundme link ❤️
Organizer
Olubukola Ajayi
Organizer
Orléans, ON