To understand this petition a brief synopsis of events has to be understood after which I leave it to the public to decide whether my actions as a father were responsible or the actions should have led to a label of being a criminal for alleged fraud;

In 2009 it became apparent my wife was in an extra-marital relationship a divorce followed soon after in 2010 we have 3 wonderful daughters my youngest being 5 at the time. I had sought an amicable split in which both parties could agree without solicitors involvement but to no avail. In 17 years of marriage there was no physical or mental abuse and all within this petition is documented. Numerous court orders were sought of which I successfully defended but it became quite clear the opposing solicitors were seeking conflict rather than resolution, common in divorce cases as it increases solicitors profits (fact). In 2011 my daughters raised concerns re a particular person my ex had met over the internet, the concerns were such that my two older daughters would not stay around this person but of major concern was my now 6 year old daughter who was forming what appeared an unhealthy bond with the man. I looked into the persons background and found he had a criminal conviction for domestic violence. My ex was meeting men on-line with my children having met several of them of which could be considered irresponsible. I commenced legal action to seek shared residence (joint custody). The matter of the persons criminal record for violence raised in court and admitted by my ex but amazingly rather than being praised as a concerned father I was informed " I should move on with my life and get over my ex". You soon learn judges have a very blinkered concept of "a modern father". To ensure the wellbeing of my daughters I set up individual bank accounts for them setting aside substantial sums for my eldest daughters University entry and making weekly contributions into their accounts. My two eldest daughters had direct access to their accounts and I made sure my daughters had all they required relating to clothes, school lessons etc. I began to get enquires from the Child Support Agency (CSA now DWP) as to a claim my ex wife was making and in two separate letters wrote to seek clarification as to my position regarding the contributions I was making directly and indirectly. The CSA did not respond to these letters but in a phone call to me of which I was not informed was recorded sought to ascertain my income. Having acquired personal funds from the  sale of a property I did not at the time of the call need to draw a salary as income and answered questions with this in mind. In 2012 my ex contacted me regarding an arrangement of which I agreed to and requested she draft an agreement.  As part of the agreement I asked that my ex put into the agreement that at intervals of 6 months I would receive a breakdown of large sums (only) spent towards the maintenance of my children, in effect I wanted some accountability to show the money would be for Child Maintenance and not personal use, my ex refused. I also clearly stated I would continue my direct contributions in addition to the sum within the agreement. Soon after in 2012 the CSA commenced a legal action against me for alleged fraud? A trial ensued and early on into the trial it became apparent this was a "show trial" of which the interests or wellbeing of my children was not at the fore, but was PR driven base on a political agenda, the CSA actions following on the heels of a statement by David Cameron MP that "the state would come down hard on absent fathers". The CSA failed to adhere to several court orders overlooked or dismissed by the trial judge of whom on occasions openly and on record showed extreme bias. In light of the trial judges demeanour and conduct of the trial no evidence was offered, but it was put on record this position had only been taken as a fair trial was unlikely. During the trial the CSA were asked about the direct and indirect contributions of which exceeded the amount in any event the CSA claimed my children would have received. The answer amazingly was that such sums  and I quote "are deemed as pocket money". Fraud against an individual or individuals deprives them of funds to make gain for yourself, the question given the aforementioned is how could a father clearly showing with documented evidence contributions to his children be accused and then found guilty of fraud?? In 2014 and 2015 I would have retained a highly lucrative contract of which was withdrawn due to the tag I now have as "a criminal". The actions of the CSA and in effect the Government have now placed 5 children in poverty, is causing a strain on my wife and marriage having remarried in 2012 with the CSA case of no financial gain to my ex-wife.

I am asking both Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to look into the facts and detail of this case and challenge what can only be deemed Political Correctness gone so wrong as to be an abuse of process and office with the state is now having to support two families of whom should be living comfortably above the breadline.

If as a son/daughter and/or parent you can identify with my frustrations as a father who has had his life and career completely destroyed  by doing what any reasonable and responsible person/parent would do, please sign this petition and lets challenge not only political correctness gone wrong but also the interference by the state in family matters in such a way as to be negative to the family nucleus.

Thanks

Nigel Carl Egonu