An ecumenical group, the Northern Christian Youth Solidarity and Emancipation Movement for Justice and Self-Determination on Monday implored the Federal Government to investigate allegations of girls being forced into early Islamic marriages in some parts of the country.
According to the group, an affiliate of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the alleged abduction of 24-year-old Charity Raymond Uzoechina, daughter of Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and her subsequent subjection to forced Islamic marriage, is pointer to series of unnoticed cases in the country.
The pastor’s daughter was allegedly kidnapped by some Muslim faithful and kept out of her parents’ reach, under the “protective custody” of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
“For the benefit of those who are not aware or conversant with the facts of the matter, Miss Charity Raymond Uzoechina is a Nigerian and a daughter of Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of RCCG who was forcefully abducted by some Muslim fanatics and since then has been kept out of the reach of her parents under the so called “Protective custody” of Etsu Nupe,” Director of Publicity of NYCSEM, Mr. James Gani wrote in a statement released in Abuja in Monday.
“We would like to call on the Federal Government to take a critical look at the issue of abducting Christian girls into forceful Islamic Marriages with impunity by some influential Muslims, particularly in the North with a view to invoking the relevant laws that deal with crimes of this nature on them. This case should be seriously viewed as such.
NYCSEM wondered why an Emir of Etsu Nupe’s standing would be party to an act of abduction or “protective custody” when his office is ordinarily not invested with such powers. It also condemned attacks on the person and office of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, saying such actions are an affront on the Christian Community in the country.
“Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor stands for and represents the Church and the less-privileged in Nigeria,” the statement added. “To us, Ayo’s utterances and actions since becoming the President of CAN in Nigeria are what Nigeria needs to survive as a nation today.
“Whereas, we appreciate the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) that provides for the freedom of worship and choice of religion, we do not believe and cannot be deceived that the case under reference has to do with choice of religion and or wilful conversion.
“Everyone knows that Christians are lovers and makers of peace; if it were not so, the story would have by now been different in the face of this outright and senseless provocation on the Church. We want to categorically state that in this matter, the Emir is an abductor and if the story credited to Ayo in this respect is true, then Pastor Ayo is right as ever and therefore needs no one to call him to order.”
However, the Bida Emirate denied ever abducting anyone, saying the girl was only in the custody of the court after making away from home. It also said a certain Aisha Uzoechina approached the royal father for protection from her father, who is incensed by her conversion from Christianity to Islam in February 2013.
The group aligned itself with Oritsejafor’s stance on Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on his banking policies.
“We are proud to be associated with the CAN President’s position on the matter. No one is against a bank or any organisation coming to do business in Nigeria but such organisation must follow the rules.
“Sanusi has been championing the course of the Islamic Bank as if he is its Managing Director. What concerns us most is the use of public funds to establish and promote a religious organisation of this nature which Sanusi is doing. Time and posterity will one day vindicate Pastor Ayo on these and allied matters.”
