Four women were arraigned on Thursday, August 14, before the vacation court of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Maitama, Abuja, for offences bordering on child trafficking.
The defendants, Precious Silas, 30; Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47; Chidinma Onukwuagha, 40 and Favour Ohebegeim, 25, all of Karimo, Abuja, were charged with criminal conspiracy and child trafficking by the police.
The police alleged that the women used boys, whose ages ranged from seven to 12 years, for alms begging.
The defendants, according to the police, brought the boys from Imo State with a promise to enrol them in schools, but instead used them for alms begging while they (defendants) pretended to be blind.
The police added that their deceitful act was, however, exposed by an Abuja-based human rights radio and television programme, “Brekete Family” on Human Rights Radio and Television.
The offence allegedly committed by the women, according to the police, was contrary to the provisions of Sections 14(b) and 27, of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and Section 3(1), (2) and (3) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.
When the charge was read to the defendants in the open court, they pleaded not guilty.
Following their not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Donatus Abah, asked for a date for trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case against the defendants.
Counsel for the defendants, B.C Nnadika, however, informed the court of their bail application and subsequently moved same.
Ruling on their bail application, the vacation judge, Justice Cyprian Agashieze, admitted them to bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties each in like sum.
The court ruled that each of the two sureties must not be less than Grade Level 14 officials in the employment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Justice Agashieze ordered that the four women be remanded in Suleja Correctional facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
He, however, adjourned to October 8 for commencement of trial.
