Madonna's adoption challenge

Oct 16, 2006, 14:26 GMT

Madonna's plans to adopt an African orphan have been challenged by children's charities.

A series of aid agencies, child charities and church groups in Malawi have united to prevent Madonna taking the 13-month-old boy, called David Banda, to Britain.

The legal challenge could mean the 'Hung Up' singer may have to live in Malawi for 18 months because of the nation's strict inter-country adoption laws.

Malawi's Human Rights Consultative Committee is going to the Lilongwe High Court today (16.10.06) to argue that the court order allowing Madonna to take David back to Britain was unlawful.

The group's lawyer Justin Dzonzi said: "We are not against Madonna adopting a child per se. We are simply asking that she follows the laws of this country."

Madonna, 48, has also reportedly not followed the strict requirements of British law on adopting a child from abroad, according to reports. The process usually takes between two and four years.

The singer and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, had planned to leave the Southern African country with David last Thursday (12.10.06) after a court granted a temporary order allowing the child to leave Malawi for up to one year.

However, problems arose with David's passport and he was returned to the orphanage, while Madonna and Guy flew back to Britain last Friday (13.10.06).

If the judge supports today's legal challenge Madonna's temporary court order will be suspended pending a judicial review, which could take up to six months.

David would not be able to leave Malawi during that time.

Meanwhile, Malawi officials are worried David could be kidnapped and held for ransom.

A source said: "David has gone from having nothing to probably being the richest child in Malawi. He's worth a fortune and is seen as a goldmine by potential kidnappers."

(C) BANG Media International