The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwamkpuma, has debunked reports alleging that she was arrested and detained by the police over the alleged sale of a baby for N25 million.
Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki on Thursday, Nwamkpuma described the claims as false, misleading, and capable of undermining public trust in the Ministry.
She clarified that the infant at the center of the controversy remains in the custody of the State Ministry of Women Affairs, in line with statutory provisions of the Child Rights Act.
Her clarification followed reports that a 29-year-old woman, Susan Nweze, and her family had accused the police, in collaboration with the Ministry and other security agencies, of selling her newborn baby for N25 million.
The family petitioned the Force Zonal Headquarters in Enugu, leading to an invitation by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for all parties involved, including the Commissioner.
Nwamkpuma explained that she honored the police invitation on Tuesday, August 19, where she was asked to present the baby to the AIG.
According to her, the child was shown to the police authorities, after which she was directed to return with the baby.
“On this matter, someone petitioned the AIG Enugu and investigation into the case is still ongoing. We were invited to show that the baby is with us.
"So, we took the baby to Enugu, the AIG saw the child and directed us to return. We came back with the baby that same day,” she said.
She insisted that contrary to media reports, she was never arrested or detained.
“I have been in my office working. I was never arrested. I only got an invitation from the AIG, which I honored. No baby was sold.
"The baby is under the Ministry’s protection in one of our homes, and for security reasons we cannot disclose the name of the facility,” she maintained.
The Commissioner further explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs has statutory responsibility to safeguard vulnerable children, adding that the baby in question was only taken into protective custody.
"When a child is brought to us, depending on the vulnerability, the first thing we do is to take custody. Some are taken to hospitals for medical care, while others are kept in motherless babies’ homes. Adoption is a legal process that can only be granted by a court; no adoption has taken place in this case,” Nwamkpuma clarified.
She revealed that before the police inquiry, a couple had shown interest in the baby, but the Ministry insisted on following due process, stressing that no child can be handed over without legal backing.
“We cannot just rely on a consent letter from anybody. Until due process is followed, the baby remains under our care. We are not trying to cover up anything; the baby is safe with us,” she added.
The Commissioner urged the public to disregard reports alleging that she was in police detention or that the child was sold, describing such narratives as damaging to the integrity of both the Ministry and the state.
Meanwhile, police authorities have confirmed that investigations into the petition by the child’s biological family are still ongoing at the Zonal Headquarters in Enugu.
