Nigerian-American businessman, Francis Van Lare, has defended the hefty child support that allegedly led his late son-in-law, Dr. Ikenna Erinne, to commit suicide.
Dr. Erinne, a US-based Nigerian medical doctor committed suicide on Sunday, January 26, 2025, following a prolonged child custody battle with his ex-wife, Suzzette Chibuogu.
It was gathered that a US court ruled in favour of Chibuogu and ordered him to pay $15,000 in monthly child support.
A Nigerian-American, Clayton Udo, who claims to be expert in psychological and mental abuse, said the court’s verdict took a severe financial toll on him.
However, the father-in-law of the deceased, Van-Lare, earlier alleged that Dr. Erinne held his daughter and grandchildren hostage at gunpoint for three hours and turned the gun on himself when police arrived at the scene.
In another update, Van-Lare defended the expensive child support, saying that one of their children is physically challenged and needs special care.
He further debunked claims that the late cardiologist’s licence was revoked.
“To set records straight, Dr Ikenna Erinne’s licence was never revoked. He has active licenses in Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland so one state cannot revoke all licenses at once though none was revoked,” he wrote.
“The child support was set that much because he has a physically challenged son needing special care from different medical facilities plus attending a special needs school that cost money and courts consider income of both parents before making decisions.
“He is not a victim but failed his son and daughter now without their father. I just thank God he did not shoot my daughter and grand children in his madness
“Which sane person takes his own life over money he is supposed to use to support his children ? He was asked to pay child support not alimony or spousal support as my daughter is self sufficient.
“May his soul rest in peace regardless. My family will raise the children without him regardless.”
