The Enugu State Government has taken decisive action by annulling a marriage involving an underage girl, sparking widespread condemnation and legal repercussions for those involved.
Government Intervention and Arrests
Videos and photos from the wedding ceremony in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area recently went viral on social media, triggering public outrage. Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Ngozi Eni, confirmed the state's intervention in a statement released on Thursday, November 27.
The commissioner revealed that the ministry moved swiftly to halt what she described as an "illegal and harmful union," which officials confirmed had already been consummated. When the families failed to honor the ministry's invitation for questioning, authorities facilitated their arrest.
Key Figures in Custody
Those taken into custody include Amarachi's parents, the groom's parents, the groom himself, and the matchmaker identified as Mrs. Patience, a native doctor. During investigations, the matchmaker claimed ignorance about the criminality of child marriage.
In a private interaction with ministry officials, Amarachi disclosed she had been forced into the marriage and had never attended school. The groom's mother admitted she wanted a wife for her only son but offered no justification for selecting an underage girl.
Legal Education and Medical Consequences
The ministry's legal team briefed all parties on the Child Rights Law and penalties for child marriage. Officials educated them about gender-based violence and the serious medical risks associated with early marriage, including vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and cervical cancer.
Authorities have now handed the suspects over to security agencies for further investigation. Meanwhile, Amarachi and a two-year-old child—whose mother remains unidentified—are now in the care of the ministry's Head of Child Unit.
Commissioner Eni reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring Amarachi receives proper education and rehabilitation. She expressed appreciation to 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.
