Lilongwe, Malawi - The High Court in Malawi's capital Lilongwe on Thursday delayed a ruling on US popstar Madonna's adoption of Malawi-born toddler David Banda until next week. Justice Andrew Nyirenda adjourned the case after receiving a report from the state on Madonna and filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie's care of the infant at their London home over the past 19 months.
The 49-year-old star was not in court for the ruling.
Malawi's Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued a favourable report on the couple, who obtained custody of David, then 13 months, in October 2006 under an 18-month interim adoption order.
The court is expected to rule that the adoption should be made permanent.
The Malawian government bypassed its own laws banning adoptions by non-residents in granting the couple custody of David, who was given up for adoption by his father on the death of his mother.
Two Malawian rights groups had opposed the government's breach of procedure but have since withdrawn their objections.
