Orphanage closed over illegal adoption of babies, owner at large

The Anambra state government has sealed an orphanage, Arrow of God Community Children’s Home at Nkwelle Ezunaka near Onitsha following accusations of shady dealings.

The commissioner of women and social welfare in Anambra,  Ify Obinabo who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the license of the owner of the facility had also been withdrawn indefinitely.

She said the action followed a report which accused the ministry of involvement in the illegal adoption of a baby girl in connivance with one of the registered homes in the state.

She added that the founder of the home, Rev D. Ogo, presently at large, had ignored her invitation, an action she said contributed to sealing the facility in collaboration with security operatives.

The commissioner said that a total of 20 children, comprising 10 boys, 9 girls and a newborn were rescued from the facility and are currently in the ministry’s custody, adding that appropriate steps were on to trace and reunite them with their families.

Speaking to reporters shortly after sealing the facility, the commissioner explained that the ministry was neither aware of any adoption with the home nor did the adoption process pass through the ministry.

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She identified major irregularities that characterised the adoption as the absence of three signatories which must be hers, the head of the child unit and the permanent secretary of the ministry as well as the use of a court not certified by the ministry.

She said: “Part of our mandate is to fight illegal adoption and we have put up measures to address that, including rules and regulations guiding operations of Orphanages in the state.

“We have designated courts which we informed all registered homes about, that they should not go to any other so we are in control of all adoptions. But the Arrow of God went against the instructions. I found out that she carried out the adoption through one court in Nnewi to back up her nefarious acts.

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“As soon as we saw the video, we rushed to the facility with police but discovered that the owners had disappeared, abandoning the entire children. We immediately sealed the facility and withdrew their license, while we brought the entire kids to the ministry to ensure their safety and upkeep.

While warning other orphanage operators involved in illegal adoption to desist forthwith, Obinabo charged intending adoptive parents to be wary of those parading themselves as Ministry’s consultants in facilitating adoption.

She added: “The Ministry has not engaged the services of any consultant. Always report any suspicious activity found in any orphanage to us for appropriate action.”