83-year-old Clara Chinwe, retired army officer, prosecuted for baby trafficking
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has prosecuted Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, an 83-year-old retired army officer and founder of Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State, for allegedly buying and selling human beings.
In a statement signed by NAPTIP Communication Officer Adekoye Vincent, Mrs. Ogo was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa.
According to the statement, Clara Ogo, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, was arraigned on a single charge: “That you, Ogo Chinwe Clara Deborah (F) aged 83 years, of 66 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State and others (at large), on July 6, 2023, at the above-mentioned address within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, bought and sold a baby, a girl, aged 5 (five) months, and thereby committed an offense punishable under sections 21 of the Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”
In October 2023, the Anambra State Government handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children Home, Onitsha, Rev. DC Ogo, to NAPTIP.
The orphanage came under scrutiny after investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sale of babies linked to the orphanage.
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The statement further read: “Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a thorough investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Ogo on October 3, 2023, at 3:10 p.m., at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State.”
Clara Ogo pleaded not guilty to the charge. The presiding judge granted her bail with a surety of N1.3 million and two sureties of the same sum. She was subsequently lodged in the Onitsha Correctional Center pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions. The case was adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial.
Earlier reports indicated that the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, closed the Arrow of God Community Children Home in Onitsha over allegations of illegal adoption and sale of children.
Obinabo led security agents to seal the structure after a report and documentary by Fisayo Soyombo circulated on social media and local television stations, alleging that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in the illegal adoption of a girl along with one of its registered homes in the state.
However, Obinabo denied any involvement in the illegal child adoption saga.
