NAPTIP puts 83-year-old retired army officer on trial for human trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has filed a case against an 83-year-old woman, Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, founder of Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State, for allegedly bought and sold human beings for various purposes.

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

The Guardian reports that Ogo, a retired army lieutenant colonel, faces a single charge.

The charge read: “That you Ogo Chinwe Clara Deborah (F) 83 years, of 66 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State and others (at large), on July 6, 2023, at the above address within the jurisdiction of this honorable. court, bought and sold a baby girl, aged 5 (five) months, and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 21 of the Trafficking Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 people (prohibition).

Earlier in October 2023, the Anambra State Government had handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children's Home, Onitsha, Rev. DC Ogo, to NAPTIP following an investigation into the activities of the orphanage led by a journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.

Soyombo, in his report, had denounced alleged illicit activities linked to illegal adoption and sale of babies linked to the orphanage.

The statement further explains: “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 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.

As a result, she was remanded in custody at the Onitsha Correctional Center pending fulfillment of her bail conditions. The matter was adjourned until July 10, 2024 for trial.

It will be recalled that the Soyombo report had also revealed the involvement of the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in the illegal adoption of a baby girl in one of its registered homes in the state.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, has sealed off the Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha, over the allegations.

She also denied any involvement of the ministry in the saga of illegal child adoptions.