An investigative reporter in a Freedom of Information (FoI), sent a request to the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and another to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, seeking clarification on alleged handing over of a disputed paternity child to suspected traffickers.
The FoI, dated 16th June 2025 and signed by the Editor, Security News Alert, Juliana Francis, was addressed to the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, through the Lagos State Commissioner for Information.
Also copied were the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and Family Social Services, Igando-LDCA, Alimosho, Lagos.
Another FoI was sent to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, on the same subject matter, copied the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer and the Head, Gender-Based Violence Unit, Lagos State Police Command.
The FoI request to Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development reads: “Under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, we hereby apply for confirmation of allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated against a 10-year-old girl and shoddy investigations.
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“Over the past months, we have been conducting an investigation focused on finding out those who trafficked and then inflicted bodily harm on the minor, hoping to hold them accountable.
“Our investigation has raised serious concerns about Gender Unit Culpability and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD) attempting to allegedly truncate justice, allowing traffickers to escape justice and handing the child in question to one of the parents without due process.
“This is a case of child trafficking, child physical abuse, child labour, child deprivation of education and child paternity first reported at the Festac Police Station and transferred to the Police Gender Unit.
“This case involves a 10-year-old girl identified as Kosarachi, repeatedly allegedly brutalised with shoe heels by her madam, Mrs Ifeoma Okoye, who was assisted by her wealthy church, Christ Holy Church International, to flee Lagos last year, but now back, according to sources.
“The case, which started with child trafficking and maltreatment, including sexual abuse; (b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
“(c) subjected to attacks upon his honour or reputation; or (d) held in slavery or servitude, while in the care of a parent, legal guardian, school authority or any other person having authority for the care of the child.
“Section 14 of the CRA says that every child has the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education, and every parent or guardian shall ensure that their child or ward attends and completes their basic school education.
“Okoye, Mrs Chikodi and Gift also breached Section 25 of CRA, which states thus, ‘Subject to this Law, no child shall be—(a) subjected to any forced or exploitative labour, or (d) employed as a domestic help outside his own home or family environment.’
“The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (NAPTIP) in Nigeria criminalises the exploitation of humans. Article 5 of the Act states that parties must criminalise practices that exploit humans, including sexual and labour exploitation, while Article 3(b) says that ‘consent is irrelevant if any means of trafficking are used, such as force, deception, coercion, or abduction. Even if these means are not used, it is still trafficking if a child is involved.”