…Child Rights Advocates Analysis Ongoing Case, Fault Police
…Divergent voices demand DNA
Some child rights advocates, who are concerned about promoting, and protecting the rights and well-being of children in Nigerian have expressed their opinions on the ongoing case of 10-year-old Kosarachi, who was trafficked by her mother and aunt, leading to her being battered by her madam, Ifeoma Okoye, currently on the run. JULIANA FRANCIS, who has been following the case, reports.
The case of 10-year-old Kosarachi who was trafficked from Imo State to Lagos State by her supposed biological mother Mrs Chikodi and her maternal aunt, Gift, for domestic servitude continued to generate conversations.
It will be recalled that Kosarachi was employed by Ifeoma Okoye, who would later subject her to torture, using shoe heels on her head and ringed fingers to punch her teeth, causing a chipped tooth.
While some child protection groups in Nigeria were fighting to get justice for Kosarachi, Okoye seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Amid the unfolding drama, two couples, the Chikodis and Nwekes emerged, both claiming to be parents of the abused child. The Chikodis are the purported biological parents of Kosarachi.
This paternity dispute appears to have distracted law enforcement agents from the primary and worrisome cases of child trafficking, child labour and child physical abuse. The aforementioned are crimes perpetrated against Kosarachi by her madam, her parents and her aunt, especially under the Lagos State Government Child Rights Act (CRA).
Nigerian activists, who are concerned about issues relating to children, are not too pleased with the snail-like pace of Police investigation and have outrightly expressed their opinions.
The Head of Chambers, Empire Solicitors Chigbufue Norbert Esq, one of the advocates who has been actively participating in the case pro bono, opined that the challenge stalling the case from moving forward is the police’s inability to arrest the fleeing and elusive Okoye.
He also mentioned sundry laws contravened by all the actors involved in trafficking Kosarachi and inflicting injuries on her.
His words: “The challenge stalling justice for Kosarachi is the inability of the police to produce the suspect even though the suspect is allegedly at large. In Nigeria, the Legal provisions are crystal clear and not farfetched and they are primarily guided by the Child Rights Act (CRA), Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) and Criminal Code Act and Penal Code Act respectively.
“The key Provisions and Legal Protections are the Child Rights Act (CRA), 2003, Protection from Exploitation. Section 30 prohibits child trafficking and exploitation in any form. Right to Education, Section 15 guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory basic education. Denial of education constitutes a violation of the child’s rights.
“Protection from Abuse and Torture; Section 11 protects children from torture, inhuman treatment, or degrading punishment. Offenders can face penalties, including imprisonment, and children have the right to be placed under the care of protective services.”
Speaking on the law concerning the trafficking of a child, Norbert said that the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 Prohibits child trafficking.
He said: “Trafficking minors is a serious offence under this Act, punishable by up to life imprisonment, especially if it involves sexual exploitation or forced labour. The Act also emphasises providing counselling, education, and reintegration services for rescued victims.
“Similarly, the Criminal Code Act -Southern Nigeria and Penal Code Act -Northern Nigeria -Prohibit physical abuse. Both Codes criminalize acts of assault, battery, and grievous harm. Abuse or torture of a child can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment.
“Using minors for forced labour constitutes an offence under these laws. There is also the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015. This law provides additional protections against all forms of violence, including physical and psychological abuse of children.”
According to him, the way forward in this kind of case or cases, is for victims or concerned individuals to report cases of child trafficking and abuse to NAPTIP.
He also suggested alternatives like child welfare services, where State-level ministries and agencies can intervene concerning the welfare of the child.
He added: “Nigeria takes crimes involving child trafficking, abuse, and exploitation very seriously, but effective enforcement of these laws remains a challenge due to systemic issues like corruption and insufficient resources. Nevertheless, justice will be served in due cause.”

The Lagos State Zonal Commander, NAPTIP, Mrs Comfort Agboko, described the ongoing case of Kosarachi as a complex one.
Agboko’s words: “The case is a bit complex because the real parents of this girl are not known yet. The couple in Rivers State and the other couple in Imo State are both claiming to be her parents. The couple in Rivers State said Kosarachi is their missing daughter. Since the situation is like this, and since both families are claiming the child, the first thing to do is DNA.
“If DNA is done, and she’s the biological daughter of the couple (Chikodis) in Imo State, the ones that trafficked her, it would be difficult for her to witness against her parents in court. She’ll be reluctant to testify against them in court.
“However, if she’s the daughter of the couple (Nwekes) in Rivers State, it will be easier to prosecute the couple in Imo State. The child will be willing to testify against them in court.
“True, it is a trafficking case, but before NAPTIP can prosecute, there is a need to carry out a DNA to determine the real parents of the child. The truth is that if the trafficker is her biological mom and aunt, she will not want to testify against them. We’ve lost several court cases like that.
“The moment such victims get to court, they become hostile witnesses. If she becomes a hostile witness, the best we can do in such a situation is to caution the parents about trafficking their child.
“Although we know there’s no ignorance in law, if we go to court, we will certainly lose against her biological parents who trafficked her.
“The Police and everyone involved in the case should demand DNA before handing her over to either of the couples. Again, the Police can as well officially forward the case to NAPTIP and then we see how it goes. We also have a shelter where we can keep the child pending the conclusion of the case.”
The Head of Rescue and Referral, Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), Comrade Toyin Okanlawon declared thus: “Since the case started, I’ve noticed that the police were not assertive enough in making sure at the divisional level, which is Festac Police Station, to compel the Christ Holy Church International people to write a statement on the day they reluctantly visited the station.
“Secondly, the police did not stand their ground to either call for backup or make sure that those who barred them from entry into the church were arrested and prosecuted. Everyone knows that stopping police from doing their work is an offence!
“Ignorance is no excuse! The Festac Police is supposed to arrest the security guards at the Christ Holy Church International, who barred them from entering to do their job, leading to back and forth. This caused delay and then facilitated the abusive madam Ifeoma Okoye’s escape out of Lagos State.
“The Christ Holy Church International leadership is an enabler of abuse. If not, the church would not have claimed not to know that the police visited the church on three occasions! When the case finally came to the limelight, why did the Christ Holy Church International hide the abusive madam Ifeoma Okoye till she fled?”
Okanlawon said that it was shocking to discover that it was the pastor’s driver in the church that ferried Okoye out of Lagos State when she should have been handed over to the police.
“This indicates that something is being covered up! The law allows Police to use minimum force in some situations. The police failed in their duty! Who knows if there’s a close relationship between the church and Festac Police Station? This kind of closeness or relationship can tame police not to act when it should,” alleged Okanlawon.
He further opined that the best way to go about the case now since the situation has become hazy was for the police to have a forensic interview with the self-acclaimed parents of Kosarachi.
He explained: “Background information shows that a woman kidnapped Kosarachi and her brother six years ago. Today, two couples are laying claim to Kosarachi. Personally, the best way to settle this is to carry out a DNA to determine who her biological parents are.
Festac Police Station has already collected N220,000 for tracking the fleeing madam Okoye, which Christ Holy Church International paid for; I am not contesting the cost, but the perpetrator was tracked to Port Harcourt in Rivers State, yet the police failed to go after her to make an arrest. The Lagos State Police Command not only failed to arrest Ifeoma Okoye after collecting N220,000 but also failed to collaborate with Rivers State Police Command to arrest this woman.
“It’s possible that someone or some people in Lagos State, who are involved in this case are monitoring the case step by step and giving Ifeoma Okoye feedback. It’s now a game of hide and seek. If not, I’m sure the woman would have been arrested before she ran off to Rivers State.”
The Executive Director of DOHS Cares Foundation, Ms. Lolade Ajayi said: “There was a case of child abuse reported at the police station and the perpetrator, Ifeoma, was allowed to escape. Secondly, the case also has another leg, which is two couples laying claim to being the parents of Kosarachi. At this stage, nobody is sure who the real parents are.
“The state should have taken it upon itself to conduct a DNA because the Lagos state government and the Lagos State Police Command know about this ongoing case of Kosarachi. At least let DNA be conducted between the child and the Imo State couple who are still in Lagos so that we and the police can be sure that we are not handing the child back to the traffickers.
“We should be worried about giving the child to the Imo State couple who gave out a minor to work as a domestic servant and are less concerned by her suffering while on the job. I reiterate that the State sure conduct a DNA to determine the parents and to also bring back the abusive madam, which is Ifeoma.”
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Joke Ladenegan Oginni, reacting to allegations that the Lagos State Police Command Gender Unit was planning to hand Kosarachi to the Imo State couple, said: “The Agency will continue to follow up with the police to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The Agency is aware that the police are investigating the case. The last information we had was that the child has been placed in a shelter under the supervision of Ministry Of Youth And Social Development and there are no plans to release the child to anyone.”
The Secretary, Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Festac Deanery And Holy Family Catholic Church, Theresa Igata said that the lack of coordination and display of unprofessionalism by the Lagos State Police Command caused setbacks in the case.
However, Igata thinks everyone concerned with the case should begin to have a progressive mindset so that there will be a breakthrough in the case.
She said: “Moving forward, I will not expect the officers in the Ikeja Gender Unit to be biased in their judgement. We’re hoping that by January 2025 the paternity dispute case will have been resolved and rested and then Madam Ifeoma Okoye apprehended.
“With the help of the various volunteer lawyers and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) involved in this case, I believe we will have a good outcome for Kosarachi.”
According to Igata, despite all the challenges and setbacks with the ongoing case, she still strongly believes that Kosarachi will surely get justice.
Her words: “We may not have a perfect justice system in Nigeria, but I believe with the few lawyers who are working with us on the case, I see justice being served. The lawyers and interest in the case show that with the right kind of people and mindset, our justice system will eventually become better.
“I believe that a just, developed and peaceful Nigeria is possible. However, the threat by the Gender Unit to hand Kosarachi to the couple from Imo Stata is not a professional action to take or even say!
“All we want is for the proper and legal actions to be taken, especially if we want to be fair and just. The proper thing for the police to do is to carry out a DNA test. We are not taking sides with anyone, we only want the proper thing to be done since there’s a case of a paternity dispute. What we are all after is the welfare of Kosarachi.”
Igata argued that under the Lagos State Law, Child Rights Law, 2007, children have the right to life, survival and balanced development, dignity and respect, family life and parental care, and protection, amongst other things. Also, section 10 of the law, states categorically that “Every child is entitled to respect the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be: (a) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; (c) subjected to attacks upon his honour or reputation; o (d) held in slavery or servitude, while in the care of a parent, legal guardian or school authority or any other person having authority for the care of the child.”
She stressed that going by the law and section, “we see that a crime has been committed against Kosarachi and the onus is on us to ensure justice is served. Also, Section 13 (1) states that because every child has a right to parental care and protection, accordingly, no child shall be separated from his parents against the wish of the child except— (a) for his education and welfare; or (b) in the exercise of a judicial determination by the provisions of this Law, in the best interest of the child.
“You can see we’re on course in our pursuit for justice for Kosarachi. It is now left for the police and court to follow the law. I believe if we have officers of good conscience who are ready to stand for the truth, then we’ll get the needed justice. The Lagos State Government already has a law and it should be followed to the letter.”
A psychologist, Selina Bilola Asala, describes Kosarachi’s case of being trafficked and abused on her domestic servant job as a double tragedy. She said that what happened to Kosarachi would affect her mentally, socially, and psychologically. The psychologist also said that the reasoning of such a child will be affected.
She further said: “What that child has experienced will affect even her development and you may find her having difficulty in concentration. She will live in fear and maybe backward among her peers. She could develop phobias concerning certain things in life.
“Training up a child is like giving life to a child and a child that is denied education and placed in domestic servitude will not be able to comprehend. Every area of that child will be affected. She needs to be removed quickly from her trafficker and her abusers.
“She should be removed immediately from such environments and taken to a counsellor, who will be able to debrief her and bring back the potential in such a child. The child needs to be given expert treatment so that she can start having a sense of belonging and being loved.”
Our reporter learned that the parties were supposed to meet on Monday 9th 2024 but cancelled because Okoye was yet to be arrested and the Nwekes said they could only come to Lagos by January 2025 for a police interview concerning the paternity dispute matter.