-Vows not to pay a dime to ex-wife until court grants him access to his children
Sinoe County Senator, Crayton O. Duncan, has addressed concerns regarding his alleged lack of support for his children, following a lawsuit filed by his ex-wife. He denied reports of allegedly reneging to provide support for two kids, clarifying that he has consistently provided financial, academic, and moral support for his children.
The Senator mentioned that despite previous custody arrangements, he remained committed to ensuring his children’s well-being and offered them unrestricted access to him.
Senator Duncan was wedded to Jamila Koussa, a former Liberian musician, a few years ago. The marriage was, however, short-lived due to unknown reasons.
As a result of the separation, his ex-wife, who is now remarried and known as Jamila Burphy, filed a lawsuit against him for alleged persistent non-support.
One Mrs. Tenneh S. Johnson filed the lawsuit at the Monrovia City Court on behalf of Senator Duncan’s ex-wife.
In the writ of summons, the complainant claimed that Senator Duncan purposely and intentionally failed, refused and neglected to provide maintenance and support for his children.
The writ disclosed that the alleged action runs contrary to Section 16.5 of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
But speaking in an interview with Reporters in Monrovia on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Senator Duncan disclosed that at no time did he neglect or delay in providing the necessary financial, academic and moral support to his ex-wife for the up-keeping and educational needs of his children.
He pointed out that since his love affairs with Jamila several years ago, he has been very supportive of not only her and his kids, but four other children she had prior to their marriage.
He recalled that though the court previously put him in custody of his children during their divorce, he requested his ex-wife to take care of the children because they were minors at the time.
Senator Duncan pointed out that it was also agreed upon at the court that he would have unhindered access to his kids, and they would visit him during weekends for the purpose of them feeling the fatherly love he has for them.
“The day we divorce, the court gave me the right to have the children, but I said no; they are very small-she can have them, and I will be supporting them. I have been doing that over the years and have even been supporting her own children.”
He disclosed that following the court’s mandate, he has been very consistent in meeting his children, not at the compound he constructed for his ex-wife, but at amusement and recreational centers and other areas in Monrovia and other parts adjacent.
He added that he recently paid the amount of US$10,000 to the administration of Cyber-Ed International School, where his children are attending, as outstanding tuition and other fees for his children.
Senator Duncan expressed shock over how the arrears of his children were reached because he had always sent their school fees to his ex-wife.
Why the lawsuit?
According to him, his ex-wife (now Mrs. Burphy ) has departed Liberia for the United States, leaving his children to be taken care of by their bigger siblings she had prior to their marriage
Prior to and after her departure, he noted that he has been requesting for his children to come for weekends at his house because they are now grown-ups.
But according to him, Mrs. Burphy has allegedly been refusing to do so, thereby depriving his children from benefiting from fatherly love and other entitlements.
He said despite numerous approaches and pleas, the situation continues to persist.
Senator Duncan pointed out that as a result of the consistent refusal of his ex-wife to allow him access to his children, he, in January this year took a decision to slow down his support until the court can make a determination in the matter.
“She is coming up with this court action because I have decided not to give her a dime until I can have access to my children. I cannot be supporting my children in a blind spot. They must be able to see me or come and spend weekends with me. If she doesn’t, the Supreme Court will make that decision.”
He wondered why he would neglect or refuse to support his own biological children when in fact, he supported and took proper care of Jamila and the four children she had by another man prior to their marriage.
“How will I refuse to support my own children when I even sent Jamila’s children to the Liberian Turkish Light International School? I was paying US$3500 per child on a yearly basis. Her children cannot take care of my children because they are all babies to me.”
Senator Duncan further recalled that the first lawyer hired by his ex-wife Jamila was Counselor Syrrenius Cyphus.
At a consultative meeting, Cllr. Cephus reneged on pursuing the case due to his former wife’s decision to deprive him from seeing his children.
Senator Duncan is expected to arrive at the Monrovia City Court today, February 19 to answer to the allegation.
Meanwhile, Senator Duncan has vowed to abide by any ruling from the court on the matter due to the unending love he has for his children.
He said though the action of his wife may have a political undertone, he will not relent on providing all of the necessary support to his children after the court decides.
