Call it forced profession of love, unprepared marriage or even child abuse, you may not be entirely wrong.
For the people of Amufie community in Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu, it was indeed another day of marriage celebration. Little did they know that the said marriage would not last for even a month.
In what looked like a script from Nigeria movie, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that on November 20, 2025, Eke Onyebuchi, a thirty-year-old man from Amachalla community and one underage girl, Amarachi from Amufie community, all in Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu state professed their love in the presence of their parents, family members and well-wishers.
In a ceremony which attracted so many residents of both the bride and groom, it was gathered that marriage, a ten-year old girl was adorned with series of different clothes at different stages of the ceremony.
However, few days after the ceremony, the public condemnation and criticism of the marriage has continued to grow even as many have called on the state government and the authorities concern to arrest the groom and annul the marriage.
Community youths condemn the marriage, writes security agents
In its swift reaction, the Concerned Igbo-Eze North Youth(CINY) has condemned the underage marriage, calling for its annulment.
The umbrella body of the youths in the council area in a release on November 22 which was made available to our reporter said that the marriage went contrary to the Nigerian constitution.
The release which was entitled, “CONDEMNATION OF THE UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE INVOLVING A MINOR AT AMUFIE COMMUNITY, ENUGU EZIKE, IGBO-EZE NORTH LGA” reads thus; “The Concerned Igbo-Eze North Youth (CINY) strongly condemn 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: 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.
“Urge the Traditional Ruler (Igwe) of Amachalla and his kindred to facilitate the availability of the said individual to law enforcement authorities without delay.
“We 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.”
Enugu State Government Intervenes
As the condemnations continue to trail the marriage, the Enugu state government intervened, invited the parties involved after which it handed over the groom, the match maker and other all the parties except the bride to the security agents.
Explaining the outcome of the meeting with the state government, Reuben Onyishi, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Media said on Thursday that “the Enugu State Government has taken measures to nullify the underage marriage between a teenager, Amarachi, and a man at Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government of the state, following information about the marriage making rounds on social media.
“The Enugu State Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Hon. Ngozi Eni, said the state had to intervene to nullify the illegal marriage, which had already been consummated.
“The Commissioner had earlier invited them with a view to find out why they would give out such a teenager in marriage, bearing in mind the negative effects of such underage marriage including the risk of cervical cancer, the psychological effects and regrettable aftermaths.”
Explaining further, Mr. Onyishi stated that “the Commissioner, upon their failure to appear before the ministry, made arrangements whereupon they were arrested: the parents, the parents of the said groom, the groom and the matchmaker, a native doctor.
“According to Amarachi, she was forced into the marriage and had not been to school. In a private conversation, Amarachi confirmed that she never wanted the marriage. The mother of the groom said he was an only son and that was why she had to secure a wife for him but kept mum when told that she could not have secured an underage girl for a wife.
“The matchmaker, one Mrs Patience, a native doctor, an Ezenwanyi, claimed she was unaware that underage marriage was a crime. The legal team of the ministry explained the relevant laws, including the Child Right Law, and the penalties associated with child marriage, while the Permanent Secretary and HOD Child educated the parties on GBV, child rights and the risks associated with early marriage such as VVF and cervical cancer.
“The parties involved have been handed over to the security authorities for further investigation while Amarachi and a two-year old baby whose mother had yet to be ascertained were handed over to the HOD Child.
“According to Eni, the state government would take necessary measures to nurture and empower Amarachi through education, while the marriage would be nullified.
“Eni also thanked the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government, Hon. Ogalla, the House of Assembly member representing the constituency and the Chairman of Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their swift response.”
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