Four women arraigned for alleged child trafficking in Abuja

An Abuja High Court has arraigned four women over alleged child trafficking and criminal conspiracy.

The defendants are 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 brought three boys, aged seven, eight, and twelve, from Imo State, promising to enroll them in school. Instead, they allegedly pretended to be blind and used the children as props to beg for money from unsuspecting motorist.

Abah said the alleged offenses violate the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, which protect children from abuse and exploitation.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty and their lawyer, B.C. Nnadika, applied for bail on their behalf.