Osogbo-based Ifa Priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on Thursday, decried the recent rise in the cases of paternity fraud and advised that anyone interested in resolving paternity controversies can consider Yoruba traditional means.
Elebuibon, who spoke to journalists in his house in Osogbo, Osun State capital, was asked if Yoruba traditional means of determining the paternity of a child was reliable enough to be considered since some of those interested in resolving such issue may not be able to afford the cost of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA test).
The Ifa priest, who said total rejection of Yoruba culture was responsible for the high rate of infidelity in marriage, said the race had enough traditional means to determine a child’s paternity that could be considered by whoever was interested in such investigation.
He said, “Yoruba has traditional DNA and they are very potent. They vary from one family or compound to another. We are having a high rate of cases of paternity fraud now because people of our race have decided to abandon what belongs to them and embrace two foreign religions.
“In Yoruba culture, even during childbirth, paternity of a baby can be determined. In my own compound those days, a new wife would take oath before the Ogun shrine to remain faithful to only her husband. Traditionally, there are several ways we can determine the paternity of a child. Those means are cheap and safe but our people are not interested in them. They are alternative available for those interested.”
A website providing up-to-date information on pregnancy and parenting topics called ‘Verywell family’ describes DNA paternity testing as “an important tool used to prove or disprove a biological parent-child relationship.
The test uses a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) profile for each individual and compares the data to determine if there is a genetic match.”
Sunday PUNCH had earlier reported that the marital battle between Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode, and his estranged wife, Ezinne Kayode, had taken an ugly turn, with the latter instituting legal action against her husband for allegedly claiming to be in possession of the negative DNA results of their three sons, Jason, Jayden and Jamin.
An enraged Dora, who was said to be demanding the immediate issuance of a disclaimer, adding that she had to finally toe that path after Kayode’s claim about their children’s paternity went viral on various social media platforms on Saturday.
Also, the family of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, otherwise known as Mohbad, through the deceased singer’s father, Joseph had filed a suit before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos State, seeking a DNA test for his grandson, Liam.