Girl, 16 ‘Escapes’ As Wife No. 9 To Islamic Cleric

By Chuks Ekpeneru

A 16-year-old Secondary Schoolgirl has escaped becoming the ninth wife of an Ore based Islamic Cleric, Alhaji Yusuf Lateef.

Her victory came after an Ondo State family Court in Akure intervened on her behalf.

The case was brought to the court after the girl fled her Ore family home on the day fixed for the marriage to the cleric with support from her brother to Akure, the state capital.

The court led by Justice Aderemi Adegoroye ordered that Alhaji Lateef stay away from the girl, who wants to further her education.

He was also made to sign an undertaking to stay away from her as well as ensure no harm comes her way.

The court also ordered the return of the girl to her family for proper care and education.

GWG learnt Lateef had approached the girl’s parents and sought her hand in marriage in 2019.

Despite her objection, the girl’s parents reportedly accepted the proposal of the Islamic cleric.

She thereafter lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Consequently, Alhaji Lateef and the girl’s parents were arraigned at the Family Court for breaching Part three of the 2007 Ondo State Child Rights Law.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Titilola Adeyemi, has hailed the court’s verdict as a “victory for children in the state.

“We are excited the matter has gone that way. That will be a warning to everybody that it is no to child marriage in Ondo State. Child marriage is denying a child her future. We must make sure we work for the child to realise her future.”

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