NAPTIP Arraigns Founder Of Arrow Of God Orphanage

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.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja.

It states that, the arraignment took place at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, for alleged buying and selling of human beings.

The statement explains that, 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.

According to the statement, the Arrow of God Orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illegal activities in relation to adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.

The statement stresses that, the revelations, informed NAPTIP to launch a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023.

The statement says, the defendant 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 this honorable 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”, to which Clara Ogo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The statement explains that the presiding judge granted her bail with a bond of N1.3 million and two sureties in like sum and was subsequently remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions, and the case adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial.

Meanwhile, the orphanage has been sealed.

PR Florence Adewale