The Edo State Government has arrested the operator of an illegal orphanage, Uwadia Children Home, in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area, for allegedly running an adoption scam that defrauded a prospective parent of millions of naira .
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Euginia Abdallah, confirmed the arrest of Mrs. Grace Efe Uwadia in a statement on Thursday. The suspect has been handed over to the Edo State Police Command in Benin City for further investigation and prosecution .
The scam was uncovered following a formal complaint by Mr. Monday Akpaduma, who approached the ministry after encountering irregularities in an adoption process . According to the ministry, Akpaduma initially paid N250,000 as a processing fee. He was subsequently asked to pay an additional N1 million before the child could be released to him .
After prolonged delays, he was allegedly informed that the adoption fee had been increased to N2 million by the ministry—a claim that raised his suspicion and prompted him to report the matter directly to authorities .
An internal investigation revealed that all documents presented by the complainant were fraudulent and did not originate from the ministry, despite being issued on an old ministry letterhead .
Preliminary findings point to possible collusion with a staff member of the Social Welfare Department in Owan East Local Government Council, identified as Mr. Vincent Ogbodo, who is suspected of supplying the forged documents . The official was not present during the ministry’s visit and is currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend him .
The Commissioner disclosed that children found at the facility have been evacuated to a safe location, with some receiving medical treatment . She reaffirmed that the ministry does not charge arbitrary fees for adoption and vowed to bring all individuals connected to the illegal operation to justice .
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