The Edo State Government has uncovered an alleged adoption scam involving an illegal orphanage in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area, leading to the immediate shutdown of the facility and the arrest of its proprietress.

This was revealed by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in a detailed statement, signed by S Aisemota on the matter.

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The illegal orphanage, known as Uwadia Children Home, was shut down following a formal complaint from a prospective adopter who suspected foul play in the adoption process.

The victim, identified as Mr Monday Akpaduma, approached the ministry after paying N250,000 as a processing fee for adopting a child through the orphanage.

He was later charged an additional N1 million, before the child could be released to him.

According to the Commissioner, Akpaduma was eventually informed that the adoption fee had been increased to N2 million by the ministry, a claim that raised red flags and prompted him to report directly to the government.

An internal investigation launched by the ministry revealed that all documents presented by Mr Akpaduma were fraudulent.

The fake documents, issued on an old ministry letterhead, did not originate from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Further allegations pointed to Mr Vincent Ogbodo, a staff member of the Social Welfare Department in Owan East Local Government Council, as the alleged source of the fraudulent documents, suggesting possible collusion with the orphanage operators.

The Commissioner disclosed that the local government staff could not be arrested, during the operation, as he was not present in the office at the time.

However, efforts are ongoing to apprehend him and bring all individuals connected to the illegal operation to justice.

Mrs Grace Efe Uwadia, an elderly woman and proprietress of of the home, was arrested and handed over to the Aideyan Police Station in Benin City for further investigation and prosecution.

The ministry has since evacuated all the children from the illegal orphanage to a safe location, with some of them currently receiving medical treatment.

The Commissioner emphasized that the Edo State Government has zero tolerance for exploitation, fraud, or any form of illegal practice involving vulnerable children.

She reiterated that the ministry does not charge arbitrary or inflated fees for adoption processes.

The Honourable Commissioner urged members of the public to always verify information directly with the ministry and report any suspicious activities relating to child adoption or orphanages.