Four women have been brought before an Abuja court on charges of child trafficking and exploitation after allegedly using young boys for street begging.
The accused women – Precious Silas, 30; Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47; Chidinma Onukwuagha, 40; and Favour Ohebegeim, 25 – all live in Karimo, Abuja.
Police say they brought boys aged seven to 12 from Imo State under the pretense of enrolling them in school.
Instead of education, the children were allegedly forced to beg for money on the streets.
The women reportedly pretended to be blind to gain sympathy from people passing by, making their begging more effective.
The scheme came to light after the Abuja-based human rights program Brekete Family exposed their activities on Human Rights Radio and Television.
Police filed charges under the Trafficking in Persons Act of 2015 and the Child’s Rights Act of 2003.
When the case was heard on Thursday at the FCT High Court in Maitama, all four women pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Donatus Abah asked for a trial date to present evidence, while defense lawyer B.C. Nnadika requested bail for his clients.
Justice Cyprian Agashieze granted bail of ₦1 million for each woman, requiring two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be at least Grade Level 14 officers in the FCT Administration.
The women are being held at Suleja Correctional Facility until they meet their bail conditions. Their trial is set to begin on October 8.
