Malawi judge delays decision on rights groups’ challenge to Madonna adoption

A MALAWI judge has postponed for a week a decision on whether human rights groups can challenge pop star Madonna’s bid to adopt a baby boy from the impoverished southern African country.

A 67-strong coalition of rights groups had lodged a petition before the high court in the administrative capital Lilongwe, claiming existing legislation did not allow for inter-country adoptions and asking for the right to bring a full-fledged appeal at a later hearing.

However, Judge Andrew Nyirenda decided to reserve his ruling for another seven days after the government-sponsored human rights commission also submitted an application for a hearing, lawyers said.