Dying wish to wed partner sparks heated family feud for blind 86-year-old

An 86-year-old father, Pa Jacob Shobakin, has taken his children to the National Human Rights Commission, alleging abuse and violation of his rights due to their refusal to allow him to marry his 67-year-old lover, Elizabeth Olufunke.

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Through the Age Nigeria Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Pa Shobakin accused his children of "abuse, forceful imprisonment, intimidation, and financial exploitation", and also claimed they assaulted his lover, leaving her with injuries.

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The visually impaired octogenarian specifically accused his 54-year-old daughter, Olubukola Fafunmi, of leading the assault against his partner, who was his former tenant.

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Trouble began in 2017 when Pa Shobakin, a retired banker, informed his children of his intention to marry another wife after the death of his first wife in 2013, and the new couple had even fixed a wedding date and begun arrangements to formalise the union.

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However, the children rejected the planned marriage, accusing Olufunke of exploiting their father's vulnerability to swindle him and take control of his property.

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Pa Shobakin and his partner made three separate attempts to formalise the marriage at registries in Agege, Ikeja, and Ojodu Local Government Areas of Lagos State, but all attempts were thwarted by the children.

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Nearly a decade on, the rift has persisted, despite interventions from the police at the Area G Command and Zone 2 zonal headquarters at Onikan, as well as the Lagos State mediation centre.

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Pa Shobakin insists that the decision to marry is a personal right, while his children continue to oppose the move, citing concerns about his age, health condition, and the circumstances surrounding the relationship.

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Speaking during a visit to his residence, Pa Shobakin accused his children of "imprisoning" him in the house, preventing him from going to church or receiving visitors, and said his freedom has been captured by his children because they do not want him to marry a new wife.

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He claimed his children have been mocking and ridiculing him, insisting he cannot marry another woman due to his age, but he told them he is an adult with the right to choose his partner.

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Pa Shobakin's first daughter, Fafunmi, dismissed the allegations, accusing the father's lover of brainwashing him in an attempt to forcefully take over his property.

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Fafunmi said they learnt of their father's planned wedding in January 2017 and were shocked to find out that the couple had picked aso-ebi and bought all items on their engagement list, but the wedding did not hold.

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The children petitioned all marriage registries, informing them of the consequences of issuing a marriage certificate to an elderly man in that condition without any of his children in attendance.

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Fafunmi claimed they are not against the marriage, but questioned the motive behind it, asking why the woman would be so desperate to marry an 86-year-old man with visual impairment without the knowledge of his children and other family members.

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She alleged that Olufunke exploited their father's vulnerability, brainwashed him, and collected his ATM card, emptying his accounts until the bank informed them of unusual withdrawals and they blocked the card.

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Fafunmi denied the allegation of forceful imprisonment and abuse, saying their actions were solely to protect their father's wellbeing and prevent possible exploitation.

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According to her, social workers and doctors from the state government visited Pa Shobakin, found that he was being properly cared for, and the children have been taking good care of him, employing a caregiver to live with him.

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The family has set conditions for allowing the marriage to proceed, including a refund of all money spent on renovating Pa Shobakin's property and processing related documentation.

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They also insisted that his residential property be divided into two, maintaining that only half belongs to him, with documents to support their claim, and called for an indemnity to absolve them of any legal responsibilities towards Pa Shobakin.

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Olufunke denied allegations of financial exploitation, saying the highest amount she ever collected from Pa Shobakin was N50,000, for her father's burial ceremony, and denied attempting to take over his property.

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She claimed her relationship with the elderly man was based on mutual understanding and care, and said she didn't agree to marry him because of his money or property, but to help him and take care of him in his condition.

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Olufunke accused the children of assaulting her, saying they beat her and left her with injuries on her eyes in 2024, and reported the case to the police when the frustration was too much.

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When asked if she was still interested in marrying Pa Shobakin, Olufunke said it was entirely his decision, as she didn't want to disappoint him or those fighting for her to get justice.

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The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Lucas Koyejo, declined to comment on the matter, saying the commission does not disclose information on cases before it.