NAPTIP puts 83-year-old orphanage founder on trial for illegal adoption

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 the NAPTIP Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent on Sunday, Ogo was arraigned before a Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Judge Hauwa Yilwa.

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

The Anambra State Government had in October 2023 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.

“Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched an in-depth investigation, leading to the arrest of Ogo on October 3, 2023, at 3:10 p.m. at the premises of the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Protection, in Awka, in the Anambra State,” the statement said.

Ogo pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding judge granted him 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.

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

Obinabo led security agents to cordon off the structure after a report and documentary by Soyombo circulated on social media and local television channels, alleging that the commissioner of the Ministry of Women and Social Protection of the he state 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 herself and the ministry in the saga of illegal child adoptions.