The Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha has been shut down due to claims of unlawful adoption and child selling, according to Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare.
Following a report and documentary by Fisayo Soyombo that circulated on social media and local television stations, Obinabo directed security personnel to seal off the building on Wednesday. The report and documentary claimed that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in an unauthorised adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.
In spite of the fact that the founder and several staff had fled and were currently at large, the orphanage operator was able to reclaim about 20 children, among them a newborn.
Ten boys, nine girls, and a new-born infant totaled the retrieved children, who ranged in age from one to seventeen.
While denying any involvement on her part or that of the ministry in the controversy surrounding the unauthorised adoption of children, Obinabo said that Rev. D.C. Ogo, the orphanage home’s founder, had been invited to her office in Awka for an explanation but that she had declined the invitation.
According to her, “The ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage home even, and the adoption procedure has never gone via the ministry.
“The aforementioned adoption contains inconsistencies, including the lack of three signatories, including the Commissioner, the Head of Children, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
“Since I took office, all requests for court orders for adoption or care have been handled through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka, as opposed to the Nnewi court order depicted in the documentary. This is the case because the main objective is to protect the child’s best interests.”
She issued a dire warning to other children’s home operators engaged in unlawful adoption, warning them to stop immediately or face the repercussions. She said that the state government is making every effort to crack down on operators who don’t adhere to the state’s prescribed standardised operational practises and procedures.
She cautioned parents planning to adopt a child in the state to exercise greater caution as a result of the fact that dishonest people are now passing themselves off as ministry advisors who assist in facilitating adoption.
The general public should be aware that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare did not hire a consultant.
“We urge everyone to always report to the ministry any suspicious conduct discovered in any orphanage houses, and we assure you that we will make sure the operator of the said orphanage home is promptly prosecuted.
The state government is currently caring for the recovered youngsters while the required steps are taken to find and reunite them with their various families, she continued.
