NAPTIP Indicts Delta Govt On Violation Of Child’s Rights Law

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has indicted the Delta State Government on violation of the State Child’s Adoption laws, declaring however that the agency has nothing to do with “human trafficking” case allegedly involving officials of state government which is outside its (NAPTIP) mandate.

This was contained in an official letter signed by Mrs Amugo Ijeoma Mary on behalf of NAPTIP, dated 21st June 2016 after the investigation of the case of the Proprietor of Explosive Academy, Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area and made available to BigPen Online on Wednesday.

NAPTIP in the letter with Reference number, NAPTIP/NLM/782/1 had directed the Proprietor of Explosive Academy, Mr. Aghogho Ighorhiowhunu to petition the Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.

According to NAPTIP, “The alleged violations are infractions against the laws of the State”, saying however that it (NAPTIP) cannot arrest the Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs,Rev.(Mrs.) Omatsola Williams.

NAPTIP’s letter read in part” I am directed to refer to your letter dated 29th May 2016 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the alleged offences enumerated in your letter has nothing to do with human trafficking as they are breaches made against the State’s Child’s Rights Act relating to adoption of children which are outside the  mandate of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,NAPTIP.”

“I am further directed to inform you that your institution may wish to petition the Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development as the alleged violation are infractions against the laws of Delta State.”

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Meanwhile, responding to the letter,  the Proprietor of Explosive Academy, Mr. Ighorhiowhunu Aghogho called on President Muhammadu Buhari to compel NAPTIP to arrest the Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev.(Mrs.) Omatsola Williams and make her account for the hundreds of children allegedly missing from the 26 registered children homes in Delta state and the state adoption register.

Aghogho, in a statement on Wednesday stated that the Violation of Delta State adoption law amounts to child trafficking by section 13 of the prohibition of trafficking in persons enforcement and administration law.

Aghogho said,”NAPTIP has compromised its stands. We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to compel NAPTIP to arrest Delta Commissioner,Omatsola Williams of Women Affairs Ministry.”

“NAPTIP should be made to do their jobs because it falls within its jurisdiction.”, he said.