Former Ghanaian footballer Nii Odartey Lamptey has opted not to hold his ex-wife Gloria Appiah’s conduct against her children.
He expresses fondness for them thus ready to provide them with assistance if the need be.
During an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah, Odartey Lamptey mentioned that the three children, who were later revealed not to be his own, should not face repercussions for their mother’s actions, and he holds no animosity towards them.
Regarding his bond with them, Odartey Lamptey disclosed that he ceased all interactions with them following the advice of his legal counsel.
Nevertheless, he maintains a profound affection for them and harbors no ill will, as he believes they were not involved in the marital difficulties he encountered.
“I have never met them since the issue arose, but if one day I find myself in a position to offer them help, I would do it. They are innocent, and I have nothing against them. My lawyers advised me to stay away from them, so I have not seen them since,” he said.
Odartey Lamptey also recounted his immediate response upon receiving the DNA test results.
He remembered that, in the midst of intense emotions, he considered grabbing a firearm from his car but quickly reconsidered, understanding that any action involving the gun would have exacerbated his situation, signifying a pivotal moment in his crisis management approach.
“When the issue occurred, I wanted to use my gun, which was in my Tundra. However, I decided not to do anything that would jeopardize my life, so I didn’t use it. I was heartbroken, but I remained patient, and that has led me to where I am today. I believe it was God who spoke to me, prompting me not to use my gun. It used to be in my Tundra, but I decided never to touch the gun again,” he explained.
Odartey Lamptey went on to elaborate on how he dealt with the situation by throwing himself into his work, which served as a useful distraction from the ordeal.
“I firmly believe that as a man, you need to be devoted to your job. When the issue happened to me, I would listen to recordings I made on my phone. If you don’t engage with your job, you’ll lose it and everything else you’ve focused on,” he said.
About Odartey Lamptey’s divorce saga
Odartey Lamptey’s marriage to Gloria Appiah ended in 2013 after a DNA test showed that the three children he had raised were not his biological offspring.
Lamptey recounted that friends suggested he conduct a DNA test on the children after he received numerous recordings concerning his ex-wife’s activities.
The DNA test proved to be a pivotal moment, leading to their divorce.
Following the divorce, the footballer relinquished his 5-bedroom house in Dome and paid GHC400,000 in alimony to his ex-wife.
Gloria, however, sought the seven-bedroom East Legon Mansion and won a lawsuit that required the footballer to vacate the house within an hour, resulting in her taking possession.
In March 2022, a High Court ruling mandated Gloria Appiah to return the keys to the East Legon mansion to the former Ghanaian football star within a month.
He has since married Ruweida Yakubu, with their union beginning in 2014. Odartey and Ruweida have three children together: two girls and a boy.