Bayelsa Govt intervenes in controversial four-year-old girl marriage: summons parents, 54-year-old groom
The Bayelsa Government has taken swift action in response to media reports surrounding a controversial marriage involving a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the government expressed its concern over the alleged marriage, calling it illegal based on tradition and customs, and contrary to natural justice, equity, and good conscience.
The statement, jointly signed by Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy, Chairman of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) Bayelsa, and Mr. Paniebi Jacob, Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, outlined the government’s stance against child marriage.
The Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, and Social Development, in collaboration with GRIT, acknowledged a formal complaint from the DO Foundation, a child rights advocacy group. The government’s intervention followed the receipt of this complaint.
The traditional ruler of the Akeddei community responded to the government’s invitation, assuring cooperation in producing the child, her parents, the groom, the youth leader, and the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC).
The statement emphasized that the Bayelsa Government firmly opposes child marriage, evident in its assent to the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law. It stated, “We are taking steps to rescue the child from all the key actors in this illegal ceremony that they tagged a ‘mere spiritual’ affair.”
The government, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Police Command, affirmed its commitment to preventing such incidents from occurring in the state in the future. Expressing gratitude to non-governmental organizations, including FIDA and the DO Foundation, the government assured that the case would be pursued to a logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the alleged marriage was at the behest of the girl’s parents. According to an anonymous community source, the parents claimed that the 54-year-old man, identified as Elder Akpos, was the girl’s husband in their previous life. The toddler reportedly recounted her past lives, stating that she had been searching for her former husband by moving from place to place.
The source revealed, “To avoid losing the girl to death, the people of Akeddei decided to organize a glamorous wedding ceremony to mark the union of the two previous life lovers.”
The government’s intervention seeks to address the legality and ethical concerns surrounding this unconventional union.
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