According to CHANNELS TV, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has stopped the planned marriage of a 40-year-old man to a 13-year-old girl, primary 5 pupil of POWA Primary School in Abuja.

The marriage, which was billed to take place on July 24 in Abuja. A statement by the Chief Press Officer of the Commission, said that following a tip off, the Commission interrupted the ceremony and retrieved the minor from the offender’s house and invited all parties involved to the Commission including the groom to be.

The groom to be, whose name was simply given as Ibrahim has been handed over to the police for questioning. Sections 21, 22, 23 of the Child Rights Act 2003 prohibits child marriage or betrothal, an offence which is punishable by five years imprisonment or 500,000 naira fine.