An orphanage, Arrow of God Community Children’s Home, in Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha, Anambra State, has been sealed over illegal adoption after a newborn and 19 children were rescued.
The move to seal the orphanage was made after investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), released an investigation and how he disguised as a client that paid N2 million in exchange for a baby at Arrows of God.
Soyombo said the FIJ report is a 19-month investigation.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the facility was sealed in collaboration with security agencies because the owner, Rev D. Ogo, now at large, ignored invitations by the ministry over the issue.
According to the Commissioner, the 19 children comprising 10 boys, nine girls and the newborn rescued from the facility are currently in the ministry’s custody.
She said appropriate steps were being taken to trace and reunite them with their families
The commissioner explained that the ministry was neither aware of any adoption with the home, nor did the adoption process pass through the ministry.
She listed major irregularities in the adoption including the absence of three signatories which must be hers, that of the Head, Child Unit, and the Permanent Secretary; adding that the orphanage also used a court not certified by the ministry.
“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,” Ibinabo said.
“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.
“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.”
Obinabo charged intending adoptive parents to be wary of those parading themselves as ministry’s consultants in facilitating adoption.
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