ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arraigned one Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, 83-year-old founder of the Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State, for allegedly buying and selling human beings for any purpose.
In a statement signed by NAPTIP’s Communication Officer, Adekoye Vincent, on Sunday, Ogo was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Hauwa Yilwa.
According to the statement, a retired Army Lt. Col, Clara Ogo, was arraigned on a single count: “That you, Ogo Chinwe Clara Deborah (F) 83 years old, of 66 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State and others (at large), on July 6, 2023, at the above address within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did buy and sell a baby, female, five months old, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sections 21 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”
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The Anambra State Government had in October 2023 handed over the founder of the Arrows of God Community Children’s Home, Onitsha, Rev D.C. Ogo, to NAPTIP.
The orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.
“Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, at 15:10hrs within the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State,” the statement read.
Ogo pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the presiding judge granted her bail with a bond of N1.3 million and two sureties in like sum. She was subsequently remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial.
Punch reports 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 selling of children.
Obinabo led security operatives to seal off the structure after a report and documentary by Soyombo circulated on social media and local television stations, alleging that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare commissioner was involved in an illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.
Obinabo, however, denied any involvement of herself and the ministry in the illegal child adoption saga.