Reverend Sisters Remanded For Illegal Child Adoption
The Children, S3xual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Monday, remanded two reverend sisters of a first generational church (name withheld), for illegal dealings and fraudulent adoption of children.
Their names were given as Reverend Sister Angela Onyenachi Ibe, aged 42, and Mother-General, Reverend Sister Chiemelie Jacinta Yvonne, aged 41.
The defendants were arraigned on four counts of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, punishable under Sections 495(a) and 386 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Volume II, the Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991.
They were also charged with illegal dealings with children as well as fraudulent adoption, punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.
However, when the charge was read to the defendants, to the satisfaction of the honourable court, they each, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Responding to questions during the arraignment, the two defendants stated that they both hail from Imo State and belong to a congregation, known as the St. Francis of Compassion, also based in Imo State.
They also added that they were staff members and attendants at the Sam Damian Community Children’s and Old People’s Home, located at Obosi in Anambra State.
In a bail application, on behalf of the defendants, the defence counsel prayed the honourable court to grant bail to the defendants, on the grounds that they were reverend sisters of a first-generation church and would religiously attend their trials, whenever called upon to appear before the court.
Delivering a ruling on the bail application, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve C. Osakwe, described the ground of the bail application as very weak, and unknown to law.
The magistrate frowned upon and vehemently bemoaned what she termed “the rising cases of illegal adoption and dealings on children in Anambra State, and called on the security agencies in the state, especially, the police authorities, to extend their search, arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the management of illegal community children’s and old people’s homes, across the state.”
The case was therefore adjourned further to May 29 and June 26, 2024, for a definite hearing, and the court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.
