, He risks 5-year jail term - Gafa

Following a petition by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and intense public pressure, the Senate on Wednesday directed its Ethics and Public Petition Committee to carry out a critical investigation into the marriage of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima to a 13-year-girl.

The petition, and public outcry came even as the President of Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA) Mrs. Chinelo Iriele, said, going by the provision of Section 21 of the Child Rights Act which prohibits child marriage, Senator Ahmed Yerima stands the risk of bagging a five-year jail term or an option of fine of N500,000 or both.
Senator Eme Ekaette (PDP Akwa Ibom) had upon a Point of Order 41 of the Senate standing Rules laid a copy of the petition by the National Human Rights Commission before the Senate but without debate in accordance with the rules of the Senate.

According to Ekaette; “This petition was written by the National Human Rights Commission and about ten women groups and addressed to me as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youths. It has to do with the marriage of one of our colleagues to a minor.”
As soon as she finished introducing the petition, President of the Senate, David Mark directed her to lay the report on the table and accordingly referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions.

The Senate President further said that the Ethics Committee was free to invite other committees if they needed assistance. The new position of the Senate was a departure from its earlier resolve not to interfere with the private lives of its members as postulated by its Spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze who had stated that the matter bothered on the privacy of Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima,
Senator Ahmed Yerima ,an apostle of Sharia law and a Principal Officer of the Senate recently contracted a marriage at the Abuja National Mosque to a 13-year Egyptian girl. The wedlock has come under criticism by members of the public particularly, Women Non-Governmental Organizations.

Senator Yerima as Minority Whip of the Senate who is also saddled with the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing discipline and rules, is to appear before the Senate Committee to explain why he went ahead to breach the Child Rights Act which forbids marriage to girls under 18 years.
A coalition of about ten Women groups that included Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and the Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA) and led by Dr. Mma Wokocha had on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to protest against the marriage, calling on members of his constituency to proceed the recall process against him.

Link:

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/apr/29/national-29-04-2010-003.htm

25yrs jail term is better, this will make other senseless governors/lawmakers who indulge in such act, desist completely, bastaard

It is an absolute waste of Nigeria’s fund when Nigerian National Assembly engages in a matter such as marriage. If Ahmed Sani Yerima had breached the any written law as found in Nigerian constitution, I suggest that Yerima should be prosecuted according to the dictates of the law. If there is no such law in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the actions and rumblings in the National Assembly about Yeriam’s alleged marriage to 13-year old girl tantamount to stupidity. No nation on the earth has ever legislated morality. Laws are not meant for popularity contest and idea of Nigeria National Assembly engaging any issue from a demonstrating bunch will destroy the so called democracy in Nigeria.

Dede1:

It is an absolute waste of Nigeria’s fund when Nigerian National Assembly engages in a matter such as marriage. If Ahmed Sani Yerima had breached the any written law as found in Nigerian constitution, I suggest that Yerima should be prosecuted according to the dictates of the law. If there is no such law in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the actions and rumblings in the National Assembly about Yeriam’s alleged marriage to 13-year old girl tantamount to stupidity. No nation on the earth has ever legislated morality. Laws are not meant for popularity contest and idea of Nigeria National Assembly engaging any issue from a demonstrating bunch will destroy the so called democracy in Nigeria.

What a surprise! One single voice of wisdom!

Talking about morality, some people would be shocked to know that the age of sexual consent at the Vatican is only 12 years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_Europe ).

Accordingly, Yerima could have even married and had legitimate sex with a younger girl than the one he allegedly did, and probably with the Pope's blessing - just think about that!

Actually, I do not subscribe to what the man is alleged to have done; it just seems that the matter is being blown out of proportion.

@Dede1 and Me Aboki

Petitions from all corners of the nation arrive at the doorstep of the national assembly all the time
and they are given attention. So why not this one.

And where there are possibilities of potential physical harm, then it goes beyond the scope of morality.
Especially where consent is often given on behalf of the minor.

It might be the law in the Vatican, but I dare you to bring a case where such marriages have occurred in
the recent past in the Vatican. Besides, it is not the law in Nigeria.