The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, seeking his support to stop the planned marriage by the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.

Kennedy-Ohanenye also filed for a court injunction to stop the planned marriage of 100 orphans said to be children by the Speaker.

Recall that last week, the Speaker announced that he would sponsor the wedding of 100 girls, some of whom were orphaned by insurgency, as part of his Mariga constituency project.

He also said that he had purchased materials for the event scheduled for May 24 and promised to pay dowries for the bridegrooms.

Following the outcry that followed the announcement, the speaker explained that he was only financing the wedding, not forcing the girls into marriage.

Although, the minister said a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the issue will be carried out and the ministry will take responsibility for the girls’ education and vocational training.