A 37-year-old single mother, Susan Nweze, has denied reports claiming she sold her newborn baby for N25 million, stating instead that she handed the child over for legal adoption and only received N700,000 as compensation.
Speaking at her residence in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nweze told reporters that the adoption process was properly documented and not a secret transaction. She described the viral report of baby-selling as false and damaging.
“I did not sell my baby. I gave him up for adoption through proper procedures. The N700,000 was not payment for the baby it was support to help me recover after childbirth,” she explained.
Nweze said her decision was driven by hardship, adding that she already had two children aged 19 and 12, and was in no position financially or emotionally to care for a new baby.
“I gave birth at the Police Headquarters Clinic. I’m jobless and without support. I knew I couldn’t raise another child. I acted in the best interest of the baby,” she said.
However, her family accused her of colluding with police officers to sell the child. In a petition filed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department in Enugu, the family alleged the baby was sold for N25 million and claimed that Susan was only given N700,000. They also accused security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NAPTIP, and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs, of being complicit.
They have demanded the immediate release of the child to them.
Reacting to the allegations, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Ikeuwa Omebeh, described the claims as “unfounded.” He confirmed that the child is currently in government custody pending investigation.
“The mother gave up the child willingly due to her unstable condition. The ministry is investigating the circumstances around the birth, paternity, and other relevant factors,” he said.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma, also denied the allegations of a baby sale. “The child is with us in protective custody. No baby was sold. The N25 million story is completely untrue and shocking to us,” she stated.
