NAPTIP Arraigns Octogenarian Retired Army Lt. Col For Trading In Human Beings
By Bukar BOLORI
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned Clara Ogo, an 83-year-old woman and founder of the renowned Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State for alleged buying and selling of human beings.
She was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Hauwa Yilwa.
Clara Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Leutenant Colonel and a nurse, owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi local government area of Anambra State, with branches in Lagos State.
A press statement on Sunday by Communications Officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye said 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. Adekoye said following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, within the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State.
He further disclosed that 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”.
Clara Ogo was said to have pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Subsequently the presiding judge granted her bail with a bond of N1.3 million and two sureties in like sum, and thereafter remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned to July 10, 2024, for trial, and her orphanage sealed
