Friday, August 15, 2025 - 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.
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