Hmmmm 14 years old married woman or girl.

WASILA Umar, 14, has hit fame: she allegedly
killed her husband, his three friends, and injured
many others. What is she doing with a husband at
14? The wise men in her community in Gaya Local
Government Area of Kano State said she was ripe
for marriage. Their word is law. What is a 14-
year-old’s word worth when the elders have
spoken?
Seventeen days into her forced marriage, Wasila
took her decision. She poisoned the food she
served her husband – she wanted her freedom.
She did not reckon with the camaraderie her
community shares during meal times. Her
husband’s friends who shared his meal also
became victims of the poison she intended for her
husband.
Her story is pathetic and reflects a revolt of
children being forced into early marriages. Their
guardians think children have no opinion. Wasila
wanted to be educated, nobody listened to her.
“I have never enjoyed the opportunity of going to
Islamic school or acquiring Western education. My
father forced me into this mess by stubbornly
forcing me into a relationship I was not prepared
to live in,” she said of the marriage to her 35-
year-old husband, Sani.
Kano State Police Command Public Relations
Officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, said, “The case
has been referred to appropriate authorities for the
next line of action. I am assuring you that Wasila
would appear in court soon because we have
limitation on the number of days we can keep a
suspect no matter the perceived weakness of the
case or the personality involved”. Millions of
children like her have been denied opportunities to
improve their lives and make meaningful
contributions to society.
Wasila should not be charged to court without
those whose disobedience of our laws resulted in
this tragedy. Section 29. (4) (a) of the 1999
Constitution, states, “full age” means the age of
eighteen years and above; (b) any woman who is
married shall be deemed to be of full age.” Those
who married off Wasila at 14 broke the law. Will
the law punish them? Will the law support their
lawlessness?
The Child’s Rights Act of 2003 prohibits child
marriages and betrothals. In Section 21, any
marriage contracted by anyone under 18 years is
invalid. Under Section 22: “(1) No parent, guardian
or any other person shall betroth a child to any
person. (2) A betrothal in contravention of
subsection (1) of this section is null and void”.
Both provisions are in the Criminal and Penal
Codes, though they are hardly enforced.
Where the law would stand on Wasila is crucial to
the hopes and aspirations of other endangered
children who her action has granted voices. They
are waiting.