Benue community leaders probe alleged ‘underage marriage’ controversy, confirm bride-to-be’s age and parental consent

Leaders of the Ikurav-Ya community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday, launched an investigation into alleged underage marriage that has stirred public debate since couple’s prewedding photos went viral.  

According to findings from the inquiry, the bride-to-be, Angel, was born in 2006 and completed her secondary education last year.

Officials also established that both families fully consented to the union.

The girl is also said to be 12 weeks pregnant

The council says the fact-finding exercise was necessary to address misinformation and provide clarity on the issue. 

However, according to Zege Orkwande, his personal investigation revealed that the girl is 15 years old and an orphan. 

“Ikurav-ya President held an investigation on the controversial underaged Marriage Saga today. According to them, here are the facts discovered: The said girl was born in 2006 (19yrs). The girl passed out from secondary school last year. Both parents of the couple are fully in support. My personal facts gathered, the girl is 15yrs and without parents. She’s staying with the aunty who couldn’t fund her education no more. She’s heavily pregnant. She got pregnant before her SSCE paper. At least my noise made them to investigate. The girl is pregnant already while date for marriage is 18th December. Before you support such marriage, wait when you give birth to a girl child then give her to a man at age 15 to marry. Orkwande give up at this point. Una don WIN,” he wrote.

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