From the biological point of view! The bastard belongs to the man and woman. In the event that they each want to claim separate ownership of the child, I think it is left for a court of competent jurisdiction to determine that. It should be done not on the ground that the man had not paid dowry / bride price but on the current circumstances surrounding the parties involved.
It should bother around issues like ... who has edequate finance for the child\'s upbringing, age of the baby, sanityof either of the parents etc.
In all these, the babies interest most be paramount and be the yardstick for decision making.
I feel it would be seen as share wickedness to prevent the man from custody ofthe child merely because of bride price. In all these, the baby would someday look for the father.
Patrick Ijomah
