Enugu govt arrests man who married underage girl in lavish ceremony (Video)

The Enugu State Government has arrested a 30-year-old man who recently married a 13-year-old girl, named Amarachi, in a lavish traditional marriage in the state.

The state government nullified the marriage and arrested the parents of both the bride and groom. 

It will be recalled that videos and photos from the wedding ceremony held in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, emerged a couple of days ago and went viral. 

The bride and the groom were seen in one of the clips dancing, with relatives showering money on them..

Enugu State Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Ngozi Eni, in a statement on Thursday, November 27, disclosed that the “illegal and harmful union” had been disbanded.

Unfortunately, officials confirmed that the marriage had already been consummated despite the young age of the bride.

Eni said the two families were summoned to explain why they gave out a child in marriage despite the grave psychological, health, and legal implications, including risks of cervical cancer and other complications associated with early marriage.

She disclosed that the families ignored the invitation, prompting the ministry to facilitate their arrest. 

Eni said Amarachi’s parents,  the groom’s parents, the groom, and the matchmaker, identified as Mrs Patience, a native doctor, were all arrested and put in custody.

The ministry disclosed that the bride informed officials that she was forced into the marriage and had never attended school. 

Eni said the mother of the groom admitted that she wanted a wife for her only son and actively took measures to achieve it.

She was unable to justify why an underage girl was selected for this purpose. 

The native doctor who match-made the couple told officials she was not aware that underage marriage was a crime.

Eni disclosed that the ministry’s legal team briefed all parties on the Child Rights Law and penalties for child marriage, while officials educated them on gender-based violence and the medical risks associated with early marriage, including vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and cervical cancer.

The commissioner said the suspects had been handed over to security agencies for further investigation. 

She said Amarachi is in the care of the ministry’s Head of Child Unit.

The Commissioner said the government would ensure that  Amarachi receives proper education and rehabilitation. 

She thanked those who contributed to tracking the underage girl and the suspects, while also appreciating the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman, Ogalla, the constituency’s House of Assembly member, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their prompt intervention.

See a clip from the marriage ceremony here.

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