Gwamnishu Confirms Arrest of Man Who Assaulted 18-Year-Old Wife

Gwamnishu Confirms Arrest of Man Who Assaulted 18-Year-Old Wife

Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has confirmed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady in a viral abuse video is currently in police custody. He also disclosed that she was taken away as a child and that her father was oblivious of any supposed marriage.

Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has confirmed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady in a viral abuse video is now in police custody. He also disclosed that she was taken away as a child and that her father was unaware of any alleged marriage involving her. Gwamnishu confirmed the development in an update uploaded on Instagram on Tuesday, noting that preliminary results also suggested that the lady identified as ‘Chisom’ was 15 years old when her relationship with the suspect reportedly began. The update follows a horrific video that surfaced on Monday showing a clearly damaged young woman, thought to be an 18-year-old wife. The video showed the woman with apparent facial injuries as her husband exchanged words with neighbors who confronted him about the alleged violence.

A separate video emerged later, showing the woman with Gwamnishu in what looked to be a hospital. In the video, the activist discussed intentions to arrest the man, but the young woman pleaded against it. Providing an update, Gwamnishu said, “Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began”. He noted that he initially considered backing down after Chisom pleaded with him not to pursue the suspect’s arrest. “Yesterday, while she pleaded with us not to arrest the man claiming to be her husband, I almost backed down. However, something in me said, ‘Harrison, involve your Lagos team,'” he wrote. According to him, members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation’s Lagos chapter intervened, and the suspect was turned over to the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters.

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“The suspect was handed over to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters; his statement was obtained; he was detained; and officers also visited Chisom at the hospital,” Gwamnishu said. The activist also stated that he received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who claimed the young woman and her siblings were taken away after her mother died when she was seven years old. “Earlier today, I received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who narrated that Chisom was taken away after her mother died. She was just seven years old when members of her late mother’s family took her and her three siblings away,” he said. According to Gwamnishu, the relative informed him that Chisom’s father grew despondent after losing his wife and having his children taken away from him and that family members had not seen Chisom or two of her siblings until the viral video surfaced online.

“They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” Gwamnishu added. He noted that the organization would continue to support the young woman as investigations progress. “Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatized. Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” he wrote. Gwamnishu also stated that his Lagos State Director, Nta Amarachi Judith, was actively following up on the matter while the organization awaited the outcome of the police investigation.

Further findings by the activist revealed that there was never any legal or traditional marriage between Chisom and the suspect. Gwamnishu explained that the suspect, who had lived abroad, returned to Nigeria and began a relationship with Chisom when she was just 15 years old. According to him, the man went to Anambra State, paid money to someone as dowry, and claimed Chisom as his wife, an arrangement not recognised under any legal or traditional system. “There was never a marriage. The marriage they had was fake. So they are not husband and wife officially, legally, traditionally, anything you feel like calling it. Somebody in Anambra State took bride price and gave out this young girl to this guy”. Gwamnishu further explained that Chisom is calmer now compared to the previous day and emphasised that she needs counselling and therapy. He thanked the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and others who stepped in to rescue her, saying she is a victim who requires full support. The activist also noted that the suspect’s sisters were pleading with authorities not to allow her return to him, a sign that she remains at risk. Chisom has now been taken into the care of the Lagos State Ministry for Women Affairs, which will handle her welfare and accommodation.