Activist petitions UN on alleged child trafficking by Delta officials, seeks intervention

A Delta State-based human rights activist, and member of the Take It Back Movement, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has petitioned the United Nations Office in Abuja, where he exposed an alleged complex web of corruption and deceit surrounding the investigation of child trafficking and illegal adoption of children in Delta State.

The comprehensive petition, dated August 16, 2024, addressed to the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations Resident Coordinating Office in Abuja and the Head of the United Nations Country Teams in Abuja, respectively, acknowledged by the registry of the UN House in Abuja  calls for the immediate attention of Mr Mohammed Malick Fall.

The petition alleges gross misconduct by UNICEF Nigeria’s Child Protection Chief and Representative, adding that despite the submission of evidence and petitions, the UNICEF’s Office of Internal Audit and Investigations in New York, USA, cleared staff members notwithstanding their inactions, instead sought Aghogho’s consent to share the information provided with relevant UN bodies, acknowledging limitations and jurisdiction in addressing cases involving child trafficking by government officials, suggesting the need for international court intervention.

Aghogho in his petition also claimed that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission had acknowledged infractions in the Child Rights Act and Delta State’s adoption law for financial gains by officials of Delta the state government.

He added that the National Population Commission also confirmed the unavailability of the Delta State Adopted Children Register since 1991, adding that the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council, and the State Security Service have been alleged of falsifying investigation reports to shield suspects who were allowed to investigate themselves, including serving and retired judges.

He averred that by falsifying investigation reports, they aim to protect themselves and others from accountability, adding that this has led to a lack of transparency and trust in the system, making it difficult to hold those responsible for their actions.

Aghogho demanded the establishment of a special task force to investigate and address the alleged child trafficking and illegal adoption in Delta State, conduct forensic evaluations and investigations on purported Adoption Orders and court records approved by the Delta State judiciary, protect victims and whistleblowers, including himself, and ensure transparency and accountability.

The petition further requested an extension of the investigation into the operations of certain institutions illegally operating as ‘orphanage homes’ in Delta State, the alleged unlawful dealings with children by the Nigeria Police Force through the Juvenile Welfare Centre, the Child Development Department of the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Delta State judiciary.

Urging the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take urgent action, Aghogho cited key UN treaties against illegal adoption and child trafficking, wherein Nigeria is a signatory.

The petition includes evidence documents and requests a response regarding the actions to be taken to address this critical situation, emphasising the need for urgent action to protect the rights and welfare of children in Delta State and to hold accountable those responsible for perpetuating child trafficking and illegal adoption. He enthused that the establishment of a special task force will ensure a comprehensive investigation and address the systemic issues that have allowed these crimes to persist.