In the latest development following the reform measures of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued de facto ban on child marriages.

The National reported that the Justice Ministry issued an order to the courts that any marriage application for someone under the age of 18 would have to be referred to a special court to make sure that “marrying those below 18-years old will not harm them and will achieve their best interest, no matter their gender.”

It could be recalled that in January; the Shoura council passed the amendment of the kingdom’s Child Protection Law that established marriage age to 16-18 years and above, discrediting the 15 years of age it was formerly based on.

An avalanche of unprecedented changes has been swirling through the kingdom following the reform agenda of Prince Salman. In June, Salman announced that women will be allowed for the first time in the history of the kingdom, to drive and also watch football matches in stadiums with men.

Saudi women were also permitted to study at the university, undergo surgery or get a job without the permission of a male guardian. The amendment also granted women the right to register the birth of a child, a marriage or a divorce, and to be issued official family documentation and be eligible as guardians to minors.

The ground breaking rule came with the announcement that women will be paid equally as men at the same job.

While the unequal pay remains a global challenge, child marriage is a tradition more prevalent in Islamic countries. And Saudi Arabia being the host of Mecca, the Islamic holy land, it’s widely being copied in many things relating to the Islamic faith, especially by developing countries.

In Nigeria, child marriage is a culture associated mainly to Islam, and it’s a debilitating norm in the Northern part of the country. Girls of 8 years and above are given in marriage to adult men way older than them, some old enough to be the girls’ fathers.

According to Unicef, Nigeria has the highest number of child brides in Africa. Most of the marriages are arranged by the child’s parents against her will and education, breeding a generation of unlettered child brides and parents who will grow up to bequeath the same tradition to their own children. And to cap it up, the practice is spearheaded by those in authority.

In 2013, a former governor and Senator, Ahmad Sani Yerima, was accused of importing a 13 year old bride from Egypt. The development exposed the gravity of the practice that was backed by Islamic beliefs and therefore opened the topic for debate. In 2013, the child-bride practice stirred outrage in Nigeria that the hashtag #ChildNotBride trended for days.

The controversy that followed Yerima’s child-bride did not quell it; in fact, it did not stop him from taking the little child as a wife. This is because the Nigerian constitution does not establish a minimum age of marriage. The Child’s Right Act of 2003 set the age of marriage at 18 years old, however, most northern states have failed to adopt the Act. So in some states of the country, the approved age of marriage is 12.

Attempts to change the system, even by Muslim right groups have proved futile. Some activists did propose 15 years as marriage age, but it was rejected based on religious ground. Awwal Tesleem Shittu, a member of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria said that putting a limit to a girl’s age of marriage is anti-Islam. According to him, a girl’s readiness for marriage cannot be determined by her age.

“A girl of 13 years old, if she is not physically okay, maybe she doesn’t have a sound mind, she could not comprehend, she could differentiate between right and wrong, she is not fit for marriage. She is not ripe for marriage.” He added “A girl of nine years, if she is sound, she is physically okay, she can go in, because in Islam there is no barrier to that.”

The Quran says that girls can marry once they reach maturity. While some Muslim countries set the maturity age at 18, some conservatives, like those in northern Nigeria define it as puberty. And girl children are bearing the severe brunt.

According to Global Health, Nigeria has the highest number of Vesico vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the world, with over 800, 000 women living with the problem and over 20, 000 cases being recorded annually. The majority of these cases is as a result of child marriage. Female children not old enough to practice sex or bear children, but are forced to do so due to ignorance, illiteracy or religious belief. Another factor attributed to the increase is poverty. It is said that many poor parents in the north want the bride price for their girl children not minding her age.

Upon the news that Saudi Arabia has set the age limit of marriage at 18, many Muslims from northern Nigeria took to social media to register their displeasure over the development. Activists believe that the number of Islamic countries that set the marriage age at 18 is enough to convince northern Nigerian states to do the same by adopting the Child’s Right Act of 2003. They said Nigeria cannot be more Muslim than Saudi, if the kingdom can see a reason to change the narrative, northern Nigeria should do the same.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the release of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki rtd and the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

The duo have been incarcerated by the president Buhari administration for various alleged offenses. Dasuki was accused of embezzling over $2.1 billion security fund while Sowore was arrested and charged with treason for calling for a revolution.

Upon their arrests, there had been several court rulings granting them bail but had been ignored by the Federal Government. The government’s refusal to obey court orders has resulted in series of protests and condemnation both locally and internationally.

In October 2016, the court of Economic Committee of West African States (Ecowas) ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Dasuki and awarded N15 million in damages in his favor. The order, like others given by Nigerian courts was flouted.

Early in December, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) invaded a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and rearrested Sowore who had been granted bail the previous day. The development did not go well with a lot of Nigerians, especially those in the legal profession. The outrage that followed the incident resulted in the DSS sending a delegate to apologize to the presiding High Court Judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

Following the consequent backlash, the National Assembly ordered probe into the incident termed “desecration of the court.” The U.S Government did not hold back from condemning the Federal Government over the excesses of security agencies and their apparent disregard for the rule of law.

On Monday, protesters for the release of Sowore, led by political activist, Deji Adeyanju, were attacked by hoodlums chanting (Sai Baba). They were believed to have been sponsored by the government as counter-protesters. Deji was injured, and another round of outrage ensued as a result.

The chronology of these events is seen as evidence that the present administration is being draconian and would go to any length to muzzle dissenting voices. so it came surprising on Tuesday when the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami issued a statement on the order to release both Dasuki and Sowore. The statement reads:

“1. The office of the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Omoyele Sowore. Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the defenders in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the complainant/prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.

“2. In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1919 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the defendants and effect their release.

“3. The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.

“4. I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria. This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general.”

The questions that followed this statement are: why does the DSS have to wait for an order from the Attorney General of the Federation to obey a court ruling? What about the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, El-zakzaki who the court has also ordered his release? Is the Attorney General selective in the court rulings he obeys?

On December 21, the U.S. Government added Nigeria to the Special Watch List of countries that show disregard for religious freedom and tolerance, and that is besides what has been criticized as government clampdown on free speech and freedom of expression. The order to release Dasuki and Sowore has been attributed to international criticism. On 20 of December, the U. S.  Congress had written Mr. Malami, urging him to respect the laws of his own country, especially regarding So wore, who the court had notably granted bail twice. But why the letter did not compel the government to release El-zakzaki also is not clear.

Civil rights activists have urged Mr. Malami to use his office to facilitate the release of others who are held against court orders.

If you’re ever invited to a Police establishment, there is every chance that you will be detained no matter how weak or strong the case against you is.

Once you have been asked to write your Statement under caution or not, these are the things you must expect.

False Statement: Most of our Police officers would ordinarily want to dictate or railroad you into writing what they want. Refuse! Write what you know to be the truth in response to the Petition or allegation against you.

You can also ask that you want your lawyer around before you make any Statement. When you’re done with the Statement, your lawyer would ordinarily seek for an amicable resolution of whatever is in issue and that you be granted bail.

Bail is Not Free: Bail is only free on paper & Police officers will ask for some money either stylishly or bluntly. Your lawyer would know how best to go about this. If the Police don’t want to grant you bail for whatever reason, they will get a detention order signed by a senior Police officer to have you detained.

Property Documentation: At the Cell area, you will be asked to remove your belt, wrist watch, chain, shoes and other belongings and have same documented and left with the officers at the counter. You could also leave those with your lawyer or anyone that came with you there.

No Cashless Policy in Jail: The officers at the Counter or Cell area will surely ask for a tip from you and it’s advisable to not go empty handed into the Cell. Once in the Cell, you will introduce yourself to the Presido and other inmates and tell your story of what brought you to the Cell.

They will sympathize with you but immediately let you know of the amount you must pay towards the smooth running and upkeep of the Cell. From the money, they buy toiletries, candle, light bulbs, mosquito coils etc. If you’re ‘lucky’ to be in a big Cell, then you’ll be allocated a bed space. You can buy your own food from the vendors that come around and basically other things you may need.

Vising and Visitors: Visitors will be allowed to see you but not before tipping the officers at the Counter. They must also taste every food they bring in the presence of the officers before handing it over to you.

In Event of Ending Case: From the Police Cell, you will either be granted administrative (Police) bail or you’ll be charged to Court.

Some prefer to settle things at the Police and be at their mercy if you fail to meet up with your undertakings while others prefer to be charged to Court (especially when the case against them is weak), suffer for awhile in perfecting the Court bail & get the Police off their backs forever.