Nigeria's anti-human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has conducted Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) paternity and maternity tests to determine the biological parents of a 20-year-old woman identified as Juliet, allegedly stolen from her parents at birth in Enugu.
SaharaReporters had reported that NAPTIP arrested one Mrs Mariatha Chidinma Agulanna for allegedly stealing the 20-year-old woman from her biological parents – Professor Michael and Gloria Okwudili – shortly after she was born.
It earlier reported how a twist of fate and sheer providence brought the woman to her suspected biological parents after 20 years.
Mrs Agulanna had ignored several invitations by the anti-human trafficking agency, which summoned her following a petition against her for her role in the alleged theft of the baby in a hospital in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria, two decades ago.
After the baby was allegedly stolen in Enugu, she was reportedly taken to Imo State.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Okwudilis, believed to be the woman’s biological parents, had conducted DNA tests which came out positive, proving that Juliet belongs to the Okwudilis. However, following the discovery, Mrs Agulanna petitioned the Police Force Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), alleging that the Okwudilis were inciting people to mob her.
Unfortunately, after the police arrested the Okwudilis and collected N1.1 million from both parties for investigation and DNA testing on September 2022, they failed to investigate the case.
Subsequently, the biological mother of the 20-year-old girl petitioned NAPTIP which immediately swung into action and arrested Mrs Agulanna and her husband.
SaharaReporters gathered that about four weeks ago, the agency took the Okwudilis to a hospital in Enugu where DNA paternity and maternity tests were conducted to determine Juliet’s biological parents.
When contacted on the telephone on Monday, Prof. Okwudili confirmed that fresh paternity and maternity tests had been conducted to determine the true parents of the 20-year-old woman in question.
"Yes, NAPTIP has conducted another DNA test. They also conducted maternity of the girl with my wife. We are still waiting for the results. Once the results are out, we will let you know," he said.