Child Trafficking: FCT Police Arraign Four Fake Blind Women Using Children For Alms Begging

On Thursday, August 14, four women faced arraignment at the vacation court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, charged with offenses related to child trafficking.

The accused, Precious Silas, aged 30; Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47; Chidinma Onukwuagha, 40; and Favour Ohebegeim, 25, all residents of Karimo, Abuja, were charged by the police with criminal conspiracy and child trafficking.

According to the police, the women exploited boys aged between seven and 12 years for alms begging.

The police claimed that the defendants lured the boys from Imo State with promises of school enrollment, only to use them for begging while the women pretended to be blind.

The police further stated that their fraudulent scheme was uncovered by the Abuja-based human rights radio and television program, “Brekete Family” on Human Rights Radio and Television.

The police noted that the alleged actions of the women violated 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 charges were presented in open court, the defendants entered pleas of not guilty.

After their not-guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Donatus Abah, requested a trial date to allow the prosecution to substantiate its case against the accused.

The defense counsel, B.C Nnadika, informed the court of a bail application and proceeded to argue it.

In ruling on the bail application, Justice Cyprian Agashieze, the vacation judge, granted bail to each defendant in the amount of N1million, requiring two sureties each for the same amount.

The court stipulated that each of the two sureties must be at least Grade Level 14 officials employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Justice Agashieze ordered the four women to be held at Suleja Correctional facility until their bail conditions were met.

He then adjourned the case to October 8 for the start of the trial.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli