Malawian judge postpones Madonna adoption hearing

A High Court judge today postponed his ruling for a week on a challenge to Madonna’s plans to adopt a Malawian baby, court officials and lawyers said.

Judge Andrew Nyirenda was unavailable to give his ruling as he was attending a conference, said Lilongwe High Court registrar Ken Manda.

Manda said the ruling was now expected on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Nyirenda had been due to make a ruling today after a coalition of 67 human rights and child advocacy groups petitioned the court to ensure no Malawian laws had been broken in the adoption process and to make the committee a party to the adoption so it can help assess the pop singer’s fitness as a mother.

On October 12, Nyirenda granted Madonna and her filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie an “interim order” allowing them to take away 14-month-old David.

Madonna says she has met all the country’s requirements for adopting the child.