By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State government has handed over Rev Deborah Ogo, founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s home in Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over illegal adoption.
Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo who disclosed on Wednesday, said the handover followed report by one investigative journalist ‘Fisayo Soyombo alleging that the ministry was involved in illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.
The home was in August sealed by government over illegal adoption of 20 children, including a new born who were later recovered from the operator who had since been at large.
Obinabo decried the bad image the orphanage owner had given the state despite government’s efforts to rid the state of corrupt adoption practices.
She warned other operators of children’s home to desist from all forms of illegalities capable of tarnishing the image of the state.
When asked why she carried out the illegal adoption process amidst warnings, Rev Ogo could not offer any reasonable excuse, but rather said it was her secretary that handled the adoption.
She also said it took her two months to honour the commissioner’s invitation after sealing of the home, claiming she was sick.
