The renowned Arrows of God Orphanage founder, Deborah Ogo has been arraigned for alleged human trafficking, before Justice Hauwa Yilwa, of the Federal High Court, in Awka. She is an 83-year-old woman.
Human trafficking charge denied, remanded
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, had arraigned the suspect for alleged buying and selling of human beings for any purpose, an offence punishable under Sections 21 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
In a statement made available to CASEFILE, signed by the agency’s Communications Officer, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed that the defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge.
The charge 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 honourable court, did buy and sell a baby, female, 5(Five) months old, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sections 21 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015”.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defendant was granted 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.
Trial begins July 10
Clara Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel and a nurse, owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, with branches in Lagos State.
NAPTIP is spearheading the prosecution of the Arrows of God Orphanage after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.
Following the expose, the orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 by NAPTIP which led to a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, at 15:10 hours within the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State.
Meanwhile, the orphanage has been sealed.
Justice Yilwa has adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial.
