Two men were arraigned before the Ikeja Special Crimes Court, Lagos state, on Monday for allegedly engaging in child marriage and desecration.
One of the defendants, Henry Onyekwere, was said to have conspired with others still at large to marry a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) to the second defendant, Awele Odigo.
In August 2019, a traditional marriage rite was held between the minor and Odigo at Musbau Ashafa Street, off Agbe Road, Abule Egba, Lagos.
This was after the minor’s age was allegedly falsely stated in an affidavit at a magistrates’ court in Ogba on June 30, 2021.
The second defendant, Odigo, was charged on count two of desecration, in contravention of Section 137 of the Lagos State Penal Act 2016.
It was said that he had sexual relations with the minor.
The defendant was also prosecuted for unlawful involvement in child marriage in contravention of Section 210 (24) A, B, C of the Children’s Rights Act 2015.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges as Judge Abiola Soladoye adjourned the case until February 6, 2022.
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