Ikenna Obianeri
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, has sealed the Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha over allegations of illegal adoption and sales of children.
PUNCH Healthwise gathered that security operatives sealed the facility on Wednesday (today), after an investigative report by Fisayo Soyombo revealed illicit trading in children and alleged complicity, of the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, especially in the illegal adoption of a baby girl
It was learnt that when the security operatives, led by Obinabo got to the orphanage, the founder and employees had fled, while 20 children including a newborn, were rescued.
While denying the involvement of the ministry in the illegal child adoption saga, Obinabo said the founder of the orphanage home, Reverend D.C Ogo, was invited to her office in Awka for an explanation, but she did not honour the invitation.
“The ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage home even 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 of 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 Magistrate court in Awka as against the Nnewi court order presented in the documentary. This is so because the fundamental goal is to preserve the best interest of the child,” she said.
Obinabo warned other orphanage home operators involved in illegal adoption to desist from the act or face the consequences.
She noted that the state government is all out to clamp down on operators who do not follow the stipulated standardised operational practices and processes for adoption in the state.
The commissioner advised those intending to adopt a child in the state to be more careful as unsuspecting persons now parade themselves as consultants in the ministry that can help facilitate adoption.
She said, “The general public should note that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare did not engage the services of any consultant.
“We urge everyone to always report any suspicious activity found in any orphanage homes to the ministry, even as we assure that the operator of the said orphanage home will be brought to book in no distant time.
“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.”
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