By Seun Adams
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, an 83-year-old woman and founder of the renowned Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State.
The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Hauwa Yilwa, for alleged buying and selling of human beings for any purpose.
Clara Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Lt. Col and a nurse, owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi L.G.A., Anambra State, with branches in Lagos State. The Arrow of God Orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.
Mr. Adekoye Vincent, Communications Officer, NAPTIP, in a statement made available to the media on Sunday, said following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, at 15:10hrs within the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State.
The defendant, Adekoye, added was arraigned on a one-count charge, which states: “That you Ogo Chinwe Clara Deborah (F) 83 Years old, of 66 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State and others (at large), on July 6th, 2023 at the above address within the jurisdiction of the court, did buy and sell a baby, female, 5(Five) months old, and thereby committed an offense punishable under Sections 21 of the trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015”.
Clara Ogo, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the statement added.
The presiding judge granted her bail with a bond of N1.3 million and two sureties in like sum. She was subsequently remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial. Meanwhile, the orphanage has been sealed