Alleged child trafficking : Court admits 4 women to N1m bail each

An Abuja High Court on Thursday admitted four women charged with child trafficking to bail in the sum of one million Naira each.

The police charged Precious Silas, 30, Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47, Chidinma Onukwuagha, 40, and Favour Ohebegeim, 25 all of Karimo with criminal conspiracy and child Trafficking.

Justice Cyprian Agashieze, the vacation judge of the court in Maitama, granted them bail after their counsel B.C Nnadika argued their bail application.

Justice Agashieze ordered that they should produce two sureties each in the like sum who must not be below GL14 in the service of the FCTA.

He ordered that the four women would be remanded in Suleja correctional Service pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions .

He adjourned until Oct 8 for trial.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mr Donatus Abah, told the court that the four women used the boys aged seven, eight and 12 for alms begging.

Abah told the court that the four defendants brought the boys from Imo with a promise to enrol them in schools.

He alleged that the four women pretended to be blind and used the boys for alms begging.

Abah added that the women were however, exposed by the “Brekete” Family Human Rights Radio and Television programme.

He told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 14(b) and 27, of the Trafficking in persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

Abah added, also section 3(1), (2) and (3) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.

They pleaded not guilty to allegations against them.