The Rivers State Government has declared the marriage of Aboy Chibuzor, the autistic adopted son of Omega Power Ministries founder Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, null and void, citing lack of capacity to consent and breaches of child protection laws.
The wedding, conducted on March 29, 2026, sparked national controversy after Apostle Chinyere publicly arranged for Aboy to marry a woman described as old enough to be his mother. The cleric had also offered financial incentives including ₦10 million cash, a house and a future ₦20 million bonus to the couple.
Authorities said the union failed to meet legal requirements for a valid marriage. “The autistic Aboy is not in his right senses and so didn’t consent to the marriage with his senses,” the government stated. It added that the woman “didn’t marry the autistic boy out of love, rather she married him due to those listed financial and material incentives, which most women looking for marital convenience would fall for.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimpka, said the ministry summoned Apostle Chinyere for a closed-door meeting with the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Rivers State chapter, led by Chairperson Tamunonuemi Life-George. She explained that while the cleric’s actions were “done in good faith,” they were “not in tandem with the law.”
Davies-Dimpka cited the Child’s Rights Act of 2003, the Persons with Disabilities Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act as the legal basis for the government’s position. She noted that the intervention was necessary to uphold child protection standards and ensure that all individuals and organisations operating children’s homes or orphanages in the state obtain proper registration and approvals from the ministry.
Following the meeting, Apostle Chinyere admitted he was unaware of certain requirements, including the need to register his orphanage with the state government before accommodating minors. He described the engagement as an “eye opener” and promised to comply with the necessary regulations and correct identified breaches.
The cleric subsequently announced a permanent suspension of all future marriage plans for autistic children under his care. “Future marriage plans for my autistic children suspended PERMANENTLY. Special doctors shall be employed for them,” he posted on his verified Facebook page.
Legal experts have pointed to Section 3 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, which states that a marriage involving someone mentally incapable of understanding the nature of the contract is void. “A person must have the mental capacity to understand and freely consent to the marriage he or she is contracting,” one lawyer said.
The case has reignited debate on autism, disability rights and consent in Nigeria. Parents of autistic children and advocacy groups have warned against using marriage as a solution for autistic individuals. One mother said, “Getting a wife for an autistic child because of reasons is not a solution. Looking for a wife, coming online to look for a wife for an autistic child, it’s not love, it’s not compassion.”
The Rivers State Government said it will continue to monitor childcare practices within faith-based and private institutions to ensure compliance with state laws and protect vulnerable persons from exploitation.
