Enugu State Government has nullified the marriage between a teenage girl, Amarachi, and an adult man in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, following viral videos and reports on social media.
The Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Ngozi Eni, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the state intervened after confirming that the already-consummated marriage was illegal and violated the Child Rights Law.
Despite being invited for questioning, the families of both the girl and the groom failed to appear before the ministry.
Consequently, officials facilitated the arrest of the groom, both parents, and the matchmaker, Mrs. Patience, a native doctor popularly known as Ezenwanyi.
During interactions with ministry officials, Amarachi revealed that she was forced into the marriage and had never attended school. In a private session, she restated that she did not give consent.
The groom’s mother claimed she arranged the marriage because her son was an only child, but she could not defend why a minor was chosen as a bride.
The ministry’s legal team sensitized all parties to the Child Rights Law and its penalties, while also explaining the dangers of early marriage, including gender-based violence, psychological trauma, cervical cancer, and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).
All individuals involved have been handed over to security agencies for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Amarachi and a two-year-old baby, whose mother is yet to be identified, have been placed under the care of the Head of the Child Department.
Commissioner Eni assured that the government will provide Amarachi with educational support and rehabilitation, stressing that the marriage remains nullified.
She thanked local authorities, including the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Hon. Michael Ogalla, and other stakeholders for their swift intervention.
