A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an injunction halting the planned mass marriage of 100 female orphans in Niger State, scheduled for May 24. The marriage, sponsored by the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, has been met with controversy and opposition, led by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.
The Minister, who secured the court order, has expressed concerns that some of the orphan girls are as young as 13, which is below the legal age for marriage. This development has sparked outrage and calls for protection of the girls’ rights and well-being.
The injunction is a temporary relief, and the court is expected to hear the case further to determine the fate of the marriage arrangement. The move is seen as a victory for the rights of the orphan girls and a step towards protecting them from potential exploitation and harm.