Anambra: Court remands 2 Rev Sisters for illegal child-adoption 

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court (CSGBC)  of Anambra state sitting in Awka, Monday, remanded two Reverend Sisters of Catholic Congregation known as St. Francis of Compassion, Imo state over alleged illegal adoptions.

The Sisters  are: Angela Onyenachi Ibe, 42, and Mother-General, Sister Chiemelie Jacinta Yvonne, 41.

They were arraigned on a 4-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, illegal dealings on children and fraudulent adoption, punishable under the Criminal Code, Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991, and Child’s Rights Law of Anambra state, 2004.

A statement by the media aid to Anambra state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu said the prosecuting police officer who filed the charge alleged that the defendants fraudulently collected from unsuspecting victims about N4m, N1m, and N500,000 paid through the Zenith Bank account of Sam Damian Community Children’s and Old People’s Home, Obosi, Idemili LGA, under the guise of perfecting adoption for the complainants.

She said: “However, when the charge was read to the defendants, each of them pleaded not guilty of the offenses.”

In a bail application, on behalf of the defendants, the defense counsel prayed the court to grant them bail on the ground that they were Reverend Sisters of the Roman Catholic Church, and would religiously attend their trials, whenever called upon.

“But ruling on the bail application, the presiding chief magistrate, Genevieve C. Osakwe, described the ground of bail application as very weak and unknown to law. The court frowned at and vehemently bemoaned what she termed the rising cases of illegal adoption and dealings on children, in Anambra state.

“She called on the security agencies in the state, especially, the police to search, arrest and prosecute all persons involved in the management of illegal Community Children’s and Old People’s Homes, across the state. The case was adjourned to May 29th and June 26th, 2024, for definite hearing, as she remanded the defendants to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.”