Gowon Accepts Love Child 48 Years Later

Former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, rtd., has finally accepted paternity of a love child with the late public relations expert, Princess Edith Ike Okongwu after 48 years of paternity dispute.

Musa Gowon who returned to Nigeria at the end of last year, after serving for about 23 years in a United States prison, was acknowledged by Gen. Gowon upon the report of a conclusive DNA test.

The paternity dispute was the subject of a legal action that reached the Supreme Court in Nigeria, which Okongwu won.

Musa was arrested by United States law enforcement officials in Dallas on the charge of importing heroin into that country and eventually sentenced to 27 years in prison.

He was only released last November on compassionate ground and good behaviour.

In 2003, while in US custody he lost his mother, a leading socialite in Nigeria, who was also a one-time public relations manager of Guinness Nigeria Plc.

Gen. Gowon issued a statement yesterday in which he acknowledged Musa as his son nevertheless, asked for privacy after a very difficult period.

He said: “Following years of doubts and speculation, a DNA test was recently conducted to ascertain the paternity of Musa Gowon, who recently returned to the country.

“The results of the tests were conclusive, and they confirm his paternity. We, the family, are working to assist in his rehabilitation following a very difficult period in his life.

“As we look forward to the future with faith in God, we request that our privacy be respected.”