Two Rev Sisters remanded over alleged child adoption

Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has remanded two Rev Sisters for alleged child adoption.

The Reverend Sisters; Angela Onyenachi Ibe (aged 42) and Chiemelie Jacinta Yvonne (Mother-General, aged 41), were remanded on Monday following their arraignment on a-4 count 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, and illegal dealings on Children, as well as, fraudulent adoption, punishable under section 30(2)(b) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.

According to Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo; the defendants, each pleaded not guilty of the offenses when the charges were read to them.

During the arraignment, the two Reverend Sisters stated that they both hail from Imo State, and belonged to a Catholic Congregation, known as the St. Francis of Compassion, also based in Imo State.

They said 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.

She added that Counsel to the defendants, in a bail application, prayed the Court to grant them bail on the ground that they are Reverend Sisters of the Roman Catholic 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 bail application as very weak, and unknown to Law.