The father of the twin girls adopted by Madonna is reportedly shocked that the agreement is permanent. Adam Mwale - who was in court for the adoption hearing earlier this month claimed he was misled about the official agreement as he thought his children would be returned to him one day.

»He said: "I was told from the start that Esther and Stella were going to a rich woman's home abroad, that she would give them a good education, then return them to me, to live with me and help all of my family.

"Now you are telling me the adoption is permanent. That cannot be true - I don't want it to be true. I am their father and I will always be their father." Mr Mwale claims he was told Madonna wanted to take the twins and educate them and when he consulted his late wife's family, they agreed it would be a fantastic opportunity for the girls and he should go ahead.

The 40-year-old farmer whose wife Patricia died while giving birth to the twins claimed a court appointed guardian told "terrible lies" and told the judge he had abandoned his family, including five other children aged between eight and 20, to marry another woman. » But he told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "It was me who took the girls to the orphanage after Patricia died. We had been happily married for many years. We had a good family life. But when she gave birth to the twins, she lost a lot of blood and died." Mr Mwale says he wanted help from the hospital to look after his twins, but was told that the orphanage was the best place for them. He says everyone in his village understood he just wanted the best for his daughters.

Mr Mwale remarried two years after Patricia's death but still visited the twins regularly at the orphanage and worked to pay for their education. He said he used to cycle the four-hour round trip to the orphanage every day to see his daughters, and would take them dresses and gifts, and that they would sit on his lap and laugh and play with him. While the court procedure was taking place, Adam spent 12 days away with his daughters.

»He added that he believed his girls would get a "great education", something he could never afford, but that the whole thing was just temporary. Dr Mary Shawa, from the Malawian ministry which processed the adoption said: "I can't say why the guardian told the court that Mr Mwale had abandoned his children. The judge said that was wrong."

Mr Mwale also alleges he was "repeatedly" told that Madonna would be like a foster mum to his daughters. He says he knew they were going abroad but believed they would be coming back home and claims that the boss of the orphanage, where the girls lived, told him it was a good opportunity and that he should agree with everything in court.

Posted on 21/02/17