The Enugu State Government has annulled the marriage of an underage girl, Amarachi, to an adult man after videos and photos from the ceremony in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, went viral and sparked widespread outrage.
Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Ngozi Eni, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, November 27, announcing that the state intervened immediately to halt what she described as an “illegal and harmful union.” Officials also confirmed the marriage had already been consummated.
According to the ministry, families of both the girl and groom were invited for questioning to understand why a child was given out in marriage despite the severe psychological, health, and legal consequences. When they failed to honour the invitation, the ministry facilitated their arrest.
Those taken into custody include:
The underage girl’s parents
The groom and his parents
The matchmaker, identified as Mrs. Patience, a native doctor who claimed she was unaware that child marriage is a criminal offence
During a private session with ministry officials, Amarachi reportedly stated that she was forced into the marriage and had never been to school. The groom’s mother admitted she wanted a wife for her only son but gave no reason for choosing a minor.
The ministry’s legal team briefed all parties on the Child Rights Law and the penalties for child marriage, while health officials educated them on the dangers of early marriage, including risks such as vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and cervical cancer.
Authorities have handed the suspects over to security agencies for further investigation.
Amarachi, along with a two-year-old child whose mother is yet to be identified, has been placed in the temporary care of the ministry’s Child Unit.
Commissioner Eni reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring Amarachi receives education, rehabilitation, and proper protection. She also thanked Igbo-Eze North LGA Chairman Ogalla, the area’s House of Assembly representative, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their swift intervention.
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