PRESS STATEMENT 22nd November 2025 RE: CONDEMNATION OF THE UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE INVOLVING A MINOR AT AMUFIE COMMUNITY, ENUGU EZIKE, IGBO-EZE NORTH LGA The Concerned Igbo-Eze North Youth (CINY) strongly condemns the reported child marriage between a minor allegedly aged 10, who is from Amufie community and an adult allegedly aged 30s from Amachala community. The marriage is said to have taken place on the 20th of November 2025, at Amufie Community, Enugu Ezike, under Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State. This act, if verified, constitutes a clear violation of several extant legal provisions including, but not limited to, the Child Rights Act of 2003, which defines a child as any person under the age of 18 and expressly prohibits child marriage under Section 21. It also amounts to an infringement of the child’s fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and relevant international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory. In addition, it contravenes the recently passed legislation by the Nigerian Senate prescribing life imprisonment for any individual convicted of child defilement, thereby reinforcing the legal consequences for those who violate the bodily autonomy of minors. To establish the full facts of this incident, CINY urges the Nigeria Police Force, Ugrute Division to formally invite the parent of the child for interrogations, and as well request that the said child provides verifiable documentation, including her National Identification Number (NIN) and birth certificate, to ascertain her exact age and support the integrity of the investigation. CINY finds this alleged act morally unacceptable, culturally inappropriate, and legally indefensible. Child marriage, in any form, is an act of abuse that threatens the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of the child, and must be strongly resisted by all segments of society. Accordingly, we hereby: 1. Call on the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area(Hon. Uchenna Ogala) and the Divisional Police Command to immediately launch a full investigation and apprehend Mr. Eke Onyebuchi for prosecution under the relevant laws. 2. Urge the Traditional Ruler (Igwe) of Amachalla and his kindred to facilitate the availability of the said individual to law enforcement authorities without delay. 3. Demand that Minor be placed under protective care and that welfare services be provided by the appropriate child protection agencies in line with the Child Rights Act. We reaffirm that CINY remains committed to advocating for development, justice, human dignity, and the protection of vulnerable indigenes of Igbo-Eze North. The era of silence in the face of abuse, crime and injustice is over. Signed, National Executive Council Concerned Igbo-Eze North Youth (CINY) #highlightseveryonefollowers2025highlightseveryonefollowers2025highlights #trendingpost #TrendingNow