This call became necessary when Hon. Raphael Igbokwe moved the motion under matters of urgent public importance, in conjunction with his colleague Hon. Emeka Ujam (Enugu State).
Hon. Igbokwe said that Nigeria was a secular State who was a signatory to both the UN and African Chapter on Rights as well as Welfare of the child.
Hon. Igbokwe who Buttressed his fact by citing section 21 of the Child Rights in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said that the act prohibited the marriage of a minor and any marriage so contracted was null and void.
“Section 27 of the Child Rights act stipulates that “No person shall remove or take a child out of the custody or protection of his father or mother or guardian against the will of the father or mother, or guardian”.
“The marriage was without the consent of her parents. Who have been reported to be under threat and harassment over their request for the release of their daughter”.
Worried that this situation had caused untold psychological pain to members of her family, Igbokwe said that if nothing was done to curtail this ugly scenario, this trend may continue and possess potential threat to the country.
Majority of the lawmakers spoke in favour of the motion, when the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara who presided over the plenary session called for debate on the the motion and without hesitation voted in favour of the motion.
The Speaker later mandated its Committee on women Affairs and Human Rights to investigate the matter and report back to the House within four weeks.
