Groups to assess Madonna adoption

HUMAN rights organisations will help decide whether Madonna is fit to adopt a Malawian toddler, a judge in Lilongwe ruled yesterday.

Judge Andrew Nyirenda ruled in favour of the a coalition of 67 human rights and child advocacy groups who want to be party to the assessment of the pop singer’s fitness as a mother.

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

The rights groups argue that government cut legal corners to “fast-track” the adoption because of Madonna’s celebrity status.

Nyirenda said in his written order that he saw no reason to refuse the application.

“I believe the applicants mean well and this court will certainly benefit from the applicants researched opinions.”

The organisations will now be made friends of the court in this matter.