An Abuja High Court has arraigned four women on charges of alleged child trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
The defendants — Precious Silas, 30; Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47; Chisinau Onukwuagha, 40; and Favour Ohebegeim, 25 — are all residents of Karimo, Abuja.
Prosecutor Donatus Abah told the court that the women allegedly brought three boys, aged seven, eight, and twelve, from Imo State under the pretext of enrolling them in school. Instead, they purportedly posed as blind individuals and used the children to solicit money from motorists.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, which safeguard minors from abuse and exploitation.
All four defendants pleaded not guilty. Their lawyer, B.C. Nnadika, applied for bail on their behalf.
