The Bayelsa State Government has stepped in to stop a controversial marriage between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area.
The marriage, which was based on tradition and customs, sparked outrage among child rights advocates, who condemned it as illegal, criminal and a violation of the Child Rights Act.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Development and the State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) expressed concern over the welfare of the child and the implications of the marriage for her future.
The Director of Child Development at the ministry, Mr. Panebi Jacob, said the government invited the parents of the child, the man, the traditional ruler, the youth leader and the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Akeddei community to explain the situation.
“The Bayelsa State Government does not support child marriage under any guise. That is why we assented to the passage of the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law. We are taking steps to rescue the child from all the key actors in relation to this illegal ceremony that they tagged a ‘mere spiritual affair’,” he said.
He added that the law was clear on issues of tradition and customs that were repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and that the government was working with the Bayelsa State police command to ensure such incidents did not occur in the state again.
The chairman of GRIT, Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy Harry Esq., who is also a human rights lawyer, said the marriage was a gross violation of the rights of the child and a form of abuse and exploitation.
She said the child was exposed to physical, psychological and emotional harm and that the marriage could affect her education, health and development.
She commended the government for its swift intervention and urged the public to report any case of child marriage or abuse to the relevant authorities.
She also thanked the non-governmental organisations, including Fida and DO Foundation, that had risen to the rescue of the innocent child.
“On behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State, we express our gratitude to all the NGOs that have been involved in this case. Bayelsa State is children-friendly and this case will be pursued to a logical conclusion,” she said.
The Explainer had earlier reported that scores of child rights advocacy groups in Bayelsa State had protested against the marriage last Thursday, calling for its annulment and the prosecution of the perpetrators.
The groups said the marriage was a mockery of the constitution and the Child Rights Act, which stipulate that the minimum age of marriage is 18 years.
They also said the marriage was a threat to the girl’s dignity, security and well-being and that it could expose her to diseases, violence and early pregnancy.
The groups called on the government, the police, the judiciary and the traditional institutions to protect the rights of the child and to uphold the law.
The marriage was reportedly performed according to the tradition and customs of Akeddei community, which allow a man to marry a girl as young as four years old, as long as he does not consummate the marriage until she attains puberty.
The man, who is said to be a wealthy businessman and a widower, had reportedly paid a bride price of N500,000 and other gifts to the parents of the girl, who are poor farmers.
The marriage was witnessed by the traditional ruler, the youth leader, the CDC chairman and other elders of the community, who claimed it was a spiritual affair and not a physical one.
The man was said to have taken the girl to his house, where he planned to take care of her until she was old enough to live with him as his wife.
However, the marriage was exposed by a concerned citizen, who alerted the child rights groups and the media.
The groups mobilised and stormed the community, demanding the release of the child and the arrest of the man and his accomplices.
They also petitioned the government, the police, the human rights commission and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to intervene in the matter.
The case has drawn national and international attention, as many people have expressed shock and outrage over the marriage and called for justice for the child.
The case has also raised questions about the prevalence and practice of child marriage in Nigeria, especially in rural and remote areas, where tradition and customs often override the law and the rights of the child.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria has the highest number of child brides in Africa and the third highest in the world, with 23 million girls and women married as children.
UNICEF says child marriage is a harmful practice that deprives girls of their rights and opportunities and exposes them to multiple risks and challenges.
UNICEF says child marriage can be prevented and ended by addressing the root causes, such as poverty, gender inequality, social norms, cultural beliefs and lack of education.
UNICEF also says child marriage can be tackled by strengthening the legal and policy frameworks, enhancing the capacity and coordination of the institutions and stakeholders, increasing the access and quality of education and health services, empowering girls and engaging communities and religious leaders.
UNICEF says ending child marriage is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to gender equality, education, health, poverty reduction and peace.
UNICEF says ending child marriage is also a moral duty and a human rights obligation, as every child deserves to live a life of dignity, freedom and fulfilment.
