By Our Correspondent
Shockwaves rippled across Anambra State after news broke that a 62-year-old man, Mr. Chuks Enoch Ezike, fondly called Over Size and known by the traditional title Ebekuo Dike na Nanka, tied the knot with a 16-year-old secondary schoolgirl, Miss Deborah Gabriel Akaoseh.
The controversial wedding took place on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Swiss Point Hotel, Agulu, drawing a large crowd of family, friends, and curious onlookers.
Eyewitnesses described the event as “lavish,” with guests openly hailing the groom while others whispered in disapproval at the glaring age gap between the couple.
In a shocking revelation, Mr. Ezike admitted during the ceremony that he first met Deborah when she was just 15.
“I decided to wait for her to turn 16 before making her my wife,” he boldly declared, a statement that has since ignited public outrage.
The union has sparked heated debates across social media, with many Nigerians condemning what they describe as a clear case of child marriage.
One outraged resident wrote online: “This is disturbing. Sixteen is too young for marriage, no matter the circumstance.” Another commenter thundered: “Our laws should protect minors from this kind of arrangement, not allow them to be exploited.”
While some traditional voices argue that the marriage is a matter of personal choice and culture, the overwhelming reactions question the legality and morality of the union in a state where the Child Rights Act sets the minimum age of marriage at 18.
The development has placed fresh pressure on authorities to act decisively against underage marriages, which continue to stir controversy in parts of Nigeria despite existing laws.
For now, Mr. Ezike and his teenage bride remain at the centre of a storm that has once again put Anambra in the national spotlight.
