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MADGE’S ADOPT IS A ‘STEAL’

Madonna today will ask a Malawian judge to let her adopt a 4-year-old girl — despite objections from the child’s grandmother, who is accusing the Material Mom of “stealing” the tot.

The pop icon wants to add another African child to her family, having adopted David Banda, 3, from Malawi in 2006.

But little Mercy James’ adoption isn’t a done deal because her grandmother — Lucy Chekechiwa, 61 — is in complete opposition to the “Vogue” singer’s plans.

“Why doesn’t this singer pick other children?” the angry granny told The Sun newspaper in London.

“It is stealing. I want to go to court. I won’t let her go.”

Mercy’s unwed mother died shortly after birth, and her father is still alive, but his role in her life isn’t clear, adoption officials have said.

Madonna has already been criticized over her adoption of David because it appeared she circumvented Malawi adoption laws that call for prospective parents to live at least 18 months in the country.

As for Mercy James, “They told me when I visited her last month that they want to find a better education and home for Mercy,” Chekechiwa said.

If the judge doesn’t sign her adoption application, Madonna hopes to at least win a temporary custody order so she can take home little Mercy James.

Madonna landed in Malawi yesterday to continue the adoption process. She also toured an impoverished village, where she plans to build a school.

The singer, casually dressed in a Chanel tracksuit and white straw fedora, strolled through Chinkhota, a village about seven miles outside Lilongwe, the capital of this AIDS- and poverty-stricken nation.

She held the hand of daughter Lourdes, 12, as dozens of reporters and photographers followed close by.

Madonna told villagers of her school plans but declined to answer any questions about her impending adoption effort.

When Madonna left in a convoy of SUVs, crowds of shouting, waving villagers gave chase on foot.

At least one villager said he’s not opposed to Madonna’s plans to adopt.

“We are poor people,” said Wilson Kalibwanji. “If a child’s mother dies, it is hard for the man to bring the child up.”

david.li@nypost.com