Alleged N44 million sum collected by the Delta state Commissioner for Women Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs Omoshola Williams as bribe from some owners of prominent orphanage homes in the state, is at present generating ripples.
It was gathered that some of the orphanage homes in the last few years have failed to meet the requirement standard of the state government, and as a result, were asked to shut down.
This,however, investigation revealed allegedly prompted the owners into action, and at their caucus meeting, resolved to “grease the palm” of the commissioner.
But one of them who spoke to DAILY POST in Asaba on condition of anonymity said, ” We had to contribute money for the madam to enable us put our homes in order, she earlier refused to collect for fear of the unknown, after pressure on her by some highly placed politicians, she accepted the money, and gave us the mandate to upgrade our orphanages ”
Further investigation revealed that over 30,000 orphanage homes litter the state, many of them,substandard with dirty and stinking environments, a situation the state government under the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Social Development ordered the closure of the substandard ones.
Sources said under the guise of these orphanage homes, the owners allegedly engaged in the sale of the children in their custody, and in most cases sell male and female children for huge sums of money
In the last two months, the Delta state police Command had arrested, and prosecuted no fewer than thirty Suspected illegal orphanage operators who also allegedly engaged in the sale of the children in their custody.
Speaking to DAILY POST in Asaba, the police Commissioner in the state, Mr,Muhammad Mustafa said ” We have arrested over thirty suspects who operate illegal orphanage homes in Asaba, Ibusa. They hide under the homes to sell off the children for financial gains, some of them have been jailed, others are being prosecuted. We have warned members of the public against these fake orphanage homes, we will continue to do our best to bring sanity to the state. ”
To buy a baby boy or girl,our informed sources alleged sell between N500,000 and N600,000 depending on their ages,and physical fitness
But Mrs,Omoshola Williams, the state Commissioner for Women aAfairs, and Social Development in a swift reaction, dispelled the allegation, adding that it was a calculated attempt by her enemies to soil her hard earned name.
She told DAILY POST in an interview in Asaba, ” I have heard this allegation, some said it was SEEFOR funds, now it is orphanage homes, it is not in any way true. I don’t get involved in such dirty deals. We have closed down several substandard ones, we are not relenting at all. We don’t have business with SEEFOR let alone its funds, I think it’s the handiwork of my enemies. Where is such funds coming from? It’s all lies please.”
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