Ebonyi Commissioner Debunks Baby Sale Allegations: What Really Happened
In recent days, social media has been awash with shocking claims that a newborn baby in Ebonyi State was sold for a staggering ₦25 million, with allegations pointing fingers at the State Ministry of Women Affairs and even suggesting the detention of the commissioner in charge.
But beyond the viral headlines lies a story that is far more complex—and one that touches on Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance child protection, public trust, and accountability in governance.
The Allegation That Sparked Outrage
A 29-year-old woman, Susan Nweze, and her family alleged that her newborn baby had been sold by the Ebonyi State Police Command in collaboration with some officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs. In their petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Enugu, they demanded answers and accountability.
With such an explosive accusation, whispers quickly turned into headlines, and rumors claimed that Ebonyi’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Felicia Nwamkpuma, had been arrested and detained.
The Commissioner Speaks: “I Was Never Arrested”
On Thursday, Commissioner Nwamkpuma addressed the media directly to set the record straight.
According to her, she did honor a police invitation from the Force Zonal Headquarters in Enugu—not as a suspect in detention, but as part of an investigation to present the child in question.
“We took the baby to Enugu on Tuesday as requested. The AIG saw the baby and asked us to return with him. I was never arrested. I have been in my office working.”
She stressed that the baby is safely in the custody of the Ministry of Women Affairs, in line with the Child Rights Act, which empowers state institutions to provide protection for vulnerable children.
Understanding the Child Rights Act
To appreciate the commissioner’s defense, it’s important to understand the framework she’s referring to.
The Child Rights Act (2003) is Nigeria’s most comprehensive law protecting children. It gives ministries of women affairs across states the authority to take custody of children deemed abandoned, vulnerable, or at risk. In such cases:
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Children can be placed temporarily in government-approved homes.
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Adoption cannot proceed without legal backing from a court.
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Ministries act as custodians—not owners—of children pending legal or family resolution.
This context sheds light on why the ministry insists it acted lawfully in keeping the baby under its protection.
The Bigger Picture: Adoption vs. Exploitation
Nigeria has long struggled with public mistrust in the processes around adoption and child welfare. While the law is clear, there have been too many stories of baby factories, illegal adoptions, and corruption within security agencies.
This is why the allegations in Ebonyi struck a nerve—because they echo the fears many Nigerians already harbor about the vulnerability of poor women and children in a system that often fails them.
By clarifying that no sale or adoption took place, the commissioner is not only defending herself but also defending the integrity of her ministry’s role.
Why This Matters
Cases like this go beyond a single family or official. They highlight three pressing issues in Nigeria:
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The fragility of trust – Nigerians are quick to believe the worst because institutions have often let them down.
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The protection of vulnerable mothers – Susan’s claim that she could not care for her baby financially speaks to a broader crisis of poverty and lack of support for struggling families.
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The role of ministries in child welfare – Ministries of Women Affairs must balance compassion, law, and transparency if they are to retain public trust.
Conclusion: A Story Still Unfolding
For now, Commissioner Nwamkpuma insists no baby was sold and no arrest took place. The baby remains in government custody until investigations conclude and the child’s future is legally determined.
But the wider lesson here is clear: Nigeria must do more to create transparent, humane, and supportive systems for vulnerable children and their mothers—so that allegations of “baby sales” no longer find fertile ground in the first place.
Until then, every such case will continue to be a test—not just of one commissioner’s reputation, but of the entire country’s ability to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens.
