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An alleged illegal orphanage reportedly used for an adoption scam has been uncovered in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, leading to the arrest of its proprietress, one Mrs. Grace Efe Uwadia.
The facility, operating under the name Uwadia Children Home, was shut down following a complaint that exposed alleged irregularities in its adoption process.
The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Euginia Abdallah, confirmed the development on Thursday, stating that the suspect had been handed over to the police in Benin City for investigation and possible prosecution.
Abdallah disclosed that the ministry had commenced steps to identify and clamp down on similar illegal facilities across the state.
The case was triggered by a complaint from a prospective adopter, Mr. Monday Akpaduma, who alleged that he was defrauded while seeking to adopt a child.
Akpaduma said he initially paid ₦250,000 as a processing fee but was later asked to pay an additional ₦1 million before the child could be released to him.
He further claimed that after delays, he was informed that the adoption fee had been increased to ₦2 million by the ministry—an assertion that raised suspicion and prompted him to report the matter.
A senior official of the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said investigations revealed that the documents issued to the complainant were fraudulent and did not originate from the ministry, despite being on its old letterhead.
The official added that preliminary findings pointed to possible collusion involving a staff member of the Social Welfare Department in Owan East Local Government Council.
The said staff member, however, was not present at the office during the ministry’s visit and is currently at large.
The ministry has assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend all those involved and bring them to justice.
