By Bill W. Cooper
Sinoe County Senator Crayton Duncan has denied reports of allegedly reneging to provide support for two children he had by his ex-wife, Jamila Koussa, a former Liberian musician.
Duncan and Madam Koussa got bonded years back, but the marriage later was short-lived and 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, as in the writ of summons, the complainant claimed that the senator has intentionally failed, refused and neglected to provide maintenance and support for his children.
But reacting to the allegation in an interview on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Duncan disclosed that at no time did he neglect or delay in providing the necessary financial, academic and moral support to children through his ex-wife for their up-keep and education.
He pointed out that he has been very supportive of not only her and his kids, but four other children she had before their marriage, and recalled that though the court previously made him the custodian of his children during their divorce, it was upon his request that his ex-wife took care of them because they were minors at the time.
Senator Duncan clarified that it was also agreed 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.
“I promised that I will be supporting my children and that I have been doing that over the years and by that, I have been even supporting her own children,” the senator intoned.
He that he had been very consistent in meeting his children, not at her compound but at amusement and recreational entrances and other areas in Monrovia and other parts adjacent.
He added that recently he was made to pay US$10,000 to the administration of Cyber-Ed International School where his children are attending as outstanding tuition and other fees.
Senator Duncan further expressed shock over how the arrears of his children got accumulated because he had always paid their school fees through this same ex-wife, revealing that Mrs. Burphy has departed Liberia for the United States, leaving his children to be taken care of by their elder siblings she had before their marriage.
According to him, Mrs. Burphy has allegedly been depriving his children of benefiting from fatherly love and other entitlements, and indicated that despite numerous approaches and pleas, the situation continues to persist.
He asserted that as a result of the consistent refusal of his ex-wife to allow him access to his children, in January this year, he made a decision to slow down his support until the court can decide on the matter.
Duncan added, “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.”
Meanwhile, Senator Duncan vowed to abide by any ruling from the court on the matter due to the unending love he has for his children.