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A shocking Freedom of Information (FoI) request has levelled grave allegations against the Lagos State Government and Police Command, accusing them of conspiring to secretly hand over a 10-year-old trafficking victim, Kosarachi, to individuals suspected of trafficking and abusing her, having bypassed critical legal safeguards.
The FoI, filed on June 16th, 2025, by Juliana Francis, Editor of SECURITY NEWS ALERT, demands answers from the Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. Copies were sent to key agencies including the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Family Social Services, and relevant police units.
The request details a disturbing case that began as reports of child trafficking, severe physical abuse, and deprivation of education at Kosarachi’s place of domestic servitude. Kosarachi was allegedly trafficked from Imo State to Lagos by Mrs. Chikodi (identified as her mother) and Gift (identified as her aunt), who reportedly collected monthly payments (N10,000 and N20,000 respectively) from her “madam,” Mrs. Ifeoma Okoye. Okoye stands accused of repeatedly brutalizing Kosarachi, including inflicting injuries with shoe heels, and denying her basic schooling.
The case took a controversial turn when it devolved into a paternity dispute, with two families claiming Kosarachi.
Crucially, the FoI alleges that the Lagos Police Gender Unit and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD) conspired to secretly hand Kosarachi over to one of these claimant families – the very individuals suspected of trafficking her – without conducting a crucial DNA test. This test, the FoI notes, had already been funded by an NGO. Kosarachi was reportedly in state care at the time of this alleged handover.
The FoI further accuses authorities of enabling suspects to evade justice. Mrs. Ifeoma Okoye allegedly fled Lagos last year with the assistance of Christ Holy Church International. Despite the Festac Police Division reportedly collecting N220,000 from the church specifically for “tracking and picking” Okoye, she remains at large months later. Shockingly, Mrs. Chikodi and Gift, directly implicated in trafficking Kosarachi, were reportedly present at the Lagos State Police Command but were not arrested.
The FoI explicitly accuses the Police Gender Unit and the MYSD of “attempting to truncate justice” and “allowing traffickers to escape justice,” questioning how such actions could occur in Lagos State, renowned for its child protection protocols.
Serious Legal Breaches:
The FoI details multiple alleged violations of Nigerian law by Okoye, Chikodi, and Gift, including:
Child Rights Act (CRA): Physical abuse and injury (Section 10a), torture/inhuman treatment (10b), deprivation of education (Section 14), and forced/exploitative labour as a domestic help (Section 25a & d).
Trafficking in Persons Act (NAPTIP): The FoI asserts the case constitutes trafficking, emphasizing that a child’s consent is irrelevant under Article 3(b), and Article 5 mandates criminalization of such exploitation.
Demanding Accountability:
The FoI urgently demands explanations from the Lagos State Government and Police Command:
* The justification for secretly handing Kosarachi over without a DNA test.
* The failure to arrest Ifeoma Okoye for abuse and education deprivation.
* The lack of accountability for Christ Holy Church International shielding Okoye.
* The purpose and outcome of the N220,000 collected from the church for Okoye’s apprehension.
* The reason Mrs. Chikodi and Gift were not arrested despite trafficking evidence.
This formal FoI request represents a significant challenge to the Lagos State authorities, demanding transparency and action in a case alleging severe child rights violations compounded by potential institutional collusion. The Lagos State Government and Police Command have not yet publicly responded to these serious allegations. The safety and well-being of Kosarachi, now reportedly in the custody of the claimant family, remains a critical concern.
