The Anambra State Government, on Wednesday, sealed off the Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha over allegations of illegal adoption and selling of children.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, led security agents to seal off the facility.
The government’s decision came after an investigative piece published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism exposed the orphanage for allegedly trading babies for cash.
The report published on August 10, 2023, was an outcome of a 19-month investigation conducted by an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.
About 20 children, including a newborn baby, were recovered from the orphanage while the founder and the employees fled.
The ages of the children recovered ranged between one and 17.
The commissioner said the founder of the orphanage home, Rev D.C Ogo, was invited to her office in Awka for an explanation, but she did not honour the invitation.
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.