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Madonna is preparing a new life for three-year- old Malawian girl Mercy James after discovering she is almost certain to be successful in her adoption appeal.
The singer’s lawyer Alan Chinula revealed yesterday that he is already preparing to move the youngster to Madonna’s home in New York.
Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal is yet to reveal its official judgment but a court source said all three of the judges presiding over the appeal were ‘in unison’ the decision should go Madonna’s way.
‘She was pleased to have a sign things may go favourably,’ said Mr Chinula, speaking for the first time about the appeal, last night. ‘It has been a very anxious time for her.’
It is thought the official judgment will be made within the next few days, after which Mercy will be flown on a private jet to be with Madonna and her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three, in New York where she is expected to attend nursery school with David.
The singer’s two-year bid to adopt Mercy as a sister for David, whom she adopted from Malawi in 2006, was blocked by an African judge in April, prompting the appeal.
It emerged last night that Madonna – now divorced from film director Guy Ritchie – has the support of David’s father in her appeal to adopt Mercy. Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Yohane Banda said: ‘Madonna found David frail and sickly but I couldn’t believe my eyes how he had been transformed when I met him in March. He is such a big, bouncy, happy boy. I am happy for him.’
Mercy’s mother died of blood loss a month after giving birth and her biological father James Kambewa, 24, who walked out on her during the pregnancy, says he has never met his daughter because he thought she died too.
But Mr Banda, 34, urged Mr Kambewa to give up his custody battle, saying: ‘He should let Madonna adopt his daughter. It’s good for her. I appeal to him to let his daughter go.’
The official ruling on Mercy’s adoption will be announced next Sunday at Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal.
Controversy has dogged the singer’s bid to adopt Chifundo – whose name translates into English as Mercy – with human rights groups accusing Malawian authorities of giving her special treatment.
Information minister Patricia Kaliati said the singer, who has poured thousands of dollars into building a day care centre in the impoverished country, had helped Malawi and was a worthy mother.
During her ruling, Judge Esme Chombo said at the time: ‘The issue of residence, I find, is the key upon which the question of adoption rests and it is the very bedrock of protection that our children need; it must therefore not be tampered with.
‘As wisely put by G K Chesterton: “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up.”‘
She added: ‘Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children the law seeks to protect.’
The star is one of the most successful singers of all time, with album sales of more than 200million.
She has recently been reunited with Jesus Luz – the model 28 years her junior – who she split from days before flying into Malawi for the adoption bid back in March.
Word had apparently got back to her that there was disquiet in the country about her lifestyle.
Now with the help of his girlfriend her young beau has made his debut in designer’s Dolce & Gabbana’s new advert.
He appears in a boxing gym alongside model Eva Herzigova, and David Gandy wearing shorts and a robe.
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