83-year-old retired army officer put on trial for baby trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arraigned an 83-year-old woman, Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, founder of Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State, for allegedly buying and selling human beings for any purpose.

In a statement signed by NAPTIP Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent on Sunday, Ms Ogo was arraigned before a Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa.

According to the statement, Clara Ogo, a retired army lieutenant colonel, was arrested on a single charge: “You Ogo Chinwe Clara Deborah (F), 83, of 66 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State and others (at grand), on July 6, 2023 at the above address within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, bought and sold a baby, a female, aged 5 (five) months, and thereby committed an offense punishable under Articles 21 of Trafficking in Persons. (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”

Recall that in October 2023, the Anambra State Government handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Home, Onitsha, Rev. DC Ogo, to NAPTIP.

The orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sale of babies linked to the orphanage.

The statement further said: “Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a thorough investigation, culminating in the arrest of Ogo on October 3, 2023, at 3:10 p.m., at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Protection, in Awka, Anambra State. »

Clara Ogo has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The presiding judge granted her bail with one surety of N1.3 million and two sureties of equal amount.

She was then remanded in custody at the Onitsha Correctional Center pending her bail conditions being fulfilled. The matter was adjourned until July 10, 2024 for trial.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, sealed off the Arrow of God Community Children's Home in Onitsha, due to allegations of illegal adoption and sale of children.

Obinabo led security agents to cordon off the structure after a report and documentary by Fisayo Soyombo circulated on social media and local television channels, alleging that the Ministry of Women and Social Protection was involved in the illegal adoption of a little girl alongside another. of its registered homes in the state.

Obinabo had, however, denied any involvement of the ministry and any involvement in the saga of illegal child adoptions.