The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, on Monday, remanded two reverend sisters from a first-generation church (name withheld) for illegal dealings and fraudulent adoption of children.
The accused, Reverend Sister Angela Onyenachi Ibe, 42, and Mother-General Reverend Sister Chiemelie Jacinta Yvonne, 41, were arraigned on a four-count charge. These charges included conspiracy and obtaining by 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 also faced charges of illegal dealings with children and fraudulent adoption, punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read before the court. During the arraignment, they disclosed they were from Imo State and worked at the Sam Damian Community Children’s and Old People’s Home in Obosi, Anambra State.
The defence counsel requested bail for the defendants, arguing that as reverend sisters of a first-generation church, they would reliably attend their trials. However, Chief Magistrate Genevieve C. Osakwe ruled that the grounds for the bail application were weak and not supported by law.
The magistrate frowned at 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.
The Court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.