An elderly Nigerian woman was surprised enough to learn she was pregnant – but even more surprised to find out it was a ruse concocted by an unscrupulous midwife.
For nine months, Desope Cecilia of Port Harcourt was convinced by her midwife Oby George that she was carrying twins. But when her would-be newborns were taken to be immunised, it was discovered they were not her children after all.
Cecilia has been the victim of an elaborate scam by George, who had for months plied the 61-year-old with herbs ostensibly to aid with her pregnancy but which actually caused her stomach and feet to swell, giving her the appearance of being pregnant.
She was also told by the midwife – who charged 1.5m Nigerian naira (€7,000) for her services – that her children were “miracle” twins who would not show up on any medical scans.
At the supposed birth, Cecilia was given more herbs to chew that made her drowsy and open to the suggestion that she herself had given birth to the children.
But it has emerged that the newborns were the products of a so-called ‘baby factory’ where young women were exploited into having babies that were then sold on to George and other scam midwives.
Cecilia was not the only victim of George’s midwifery scam. Joy Ibe, 43, was also made believe she was pregnant, was told not to go for any scans, and was convinced she was expecting triplets – having paid 3m naira (€14,000) for the privilege. Ibe only learned of her fate because she was at George’s house when police arrived.
When questioned by the authorities, George admitted that Cecilia was brought to her by a woman named ‘Mrs Okoro’, who was responsible for arranging where the babies where brought from.
In May it was reported that a baby factory was discovered in Imo State, where 20 pregnant women and girls and 11 babies where found. It is alleged that all were made pregnant by one man at the compound.
Further reports claim that another baby factory was found shortly after in Enugu, where six pregnant girls were discovered.
