Illegal adoption: Anambra cleric who founded baby factory arrested
By Wilson Adekumola
Anambra State Government has handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s home in Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha, Rev Deborah Ogo to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons over alleged illegal adoption.
This was disclosed by the commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo on Wednesday, October 4, adding that the handover followed viral reports alleging that the ministry was involved in illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.
Reports revealed that the facility was in August sealed by the government over the illegal adoption of 20 children, including a newborn who were later recovered from the operator who had since been at large.
Obinabo lamented how the orphanage operator had dented the image of the state despite the government’s efforts to rid the state of corrupt adoption practices.
She then issued stern warnings to other operators of children’s homes to end all forms of illegalities capable of tarnishing the image of the state.
Asked why she carried out the illegal adoption process amidst warnings, the sudpect could not offer any reasonable excuse but rather said it was her secretary who handled the adoption.
She also said it took her two months to honour the commissioner’s invitation after sealing the home, due to ill health.
