Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in the Onitsha part of Anambra State has been sealed by the state government over allegations of illegal adoption and selling of children.
The team that shut down the orphanage home was led to the facility by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
Earlier, an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo of Foundation for Investigative Journalism published a report exposing the orphanage for allegedly trading babies for cash.
The report published on August 10, 2023, was an outcome of a 19-month investigation by Soyombo.
NIGERIACRIME learnt that the founder and the employees of the orphanage home fled as the team rescued about 20 children, including a newborn baby.
The ages of the children recovered ranged between one and 17.
According to Obinabo, the founder of the orphanage home, Rev D.C Ogo disregarded the invitation of the commissioner to her office in Awka, the state capital.
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She said, “The ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage Home and the adoption process never went through the ministry.
“There are irregularities in the said adoption which include the absence of three signatories such as the Commissioner, the Head of Child and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
“Since I assumed office, all application for a court order of adoption or care goes through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrates’ Court in Awka as against the Nnewi Court order presented in the documentary. This is so because the fundamental goal is to protest the best interest of the child.”
She warned other children’s home operators involved in illegal adoption to desist forthwith or face the consequences, stating that the state government is all out to clamp down on operators who don’t follow the stipulated standardised operational practices and processes in the state.
“The children recovered are currently in the care of the state government as necessary steps are underway to trace and reunite them with their different families,” she added.