Writing By Khadijah Aliyu ;Editing By Godwin Duru
After seven years of legal proceedings and uncertainty, the Kano State Government has successfully concluded a long-standing dispute involving DU MERCI Orphanage Home, with authorities formally returning the affected children to the facility.
The issue began when the orphanage was accused by police authorities of operating illegally, prompting the removal of the children and their relocation to the Nassarawa Children’s Home under the supervision of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs.
Over the years, the matter went through a series of legal proceedings, drawing attention from stakeholders concerned about child welfare and the legality of orphanage operations in the state.
The resolution came following court deliberations, leading to the official handover of the underage children to the proprietor of DU MERCI Orphanage, Mrs. Solomon Tarfa.
The handover was conducted by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude alongside the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Amina Sani.
As part of the agreement, children aged 18 years and above were granted the right to decide whether to remain with the orphanage or choose alternative arrangements.
The process was formalized through the signing of legal documents involving the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the orphanage’s management.
Several key stakeholders witnessed the event, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Muhammad Iliyasu Sambo, Director of Citizens’ Rights Hajiya Rabi Shehu, and other officials and legal practitioners.
However, shortly after the formal proceedings, the situation took an emotional turn as some of the children resisted returning to the orphanage, breaking down in tears, while one reportedly left the scene in distress.
The development has prompted calls for further intervention by the Ministry of Women Affairs to engage the children, address their concerns, and ensure a smooth and sensitive transition, underscoring the importance of prioritizing their emotional well-being alongside legal resolutions.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
