Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu says alleged marriage involving rescued teenager was not legally valid

Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has disclosed that 18-year-old Chisom, who was rescued from an alleged abu$ive relationship in Lagos, was never legally married to the man accused of abusing her.

In an update posted on his Instagram page, Gwamnishu said recent investigations have shown that the alleged marriage was not valid.

According to Gwamnishu, the suspect, who previously lived abroad, returned to Nigeria and allegedly began a relationship with Chisom when she was just 15 years old. He further claimed that she was given out in marriage without the knowledge or consent of her biological father. Instead of following the proper customary marriage process, the suspect allegedly paid a bride price to an unauthorized individual in Anambra State rather than to her immediate family.

> ‘’There was never a marriage. The marriage was fake. They are not husband and wife, legally, traditionally, or otherwise. Someone in Anambra state took the bride price and gave out this young girl to this guy. He has been dating her since she was 15. He came back from abroad and went on to pay the bride price, and took the girl as a wife.

The sisters of the man are saying please take this girl away. It shows that the girl was in daπger”

Gwamnishu added that Chisom is currently in the care of the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.