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High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
By EDITH NWAPI
An Abuja High Court on Tuesday remanded four women charged with child trafficking in police custody.
The police charged Precious Silas, 30, Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47, Chisinau Onukwuagha, 40, and Favour Ohebegeim, 25, all of Karimo, with criminal conspiracy and child trafficking.
Justice Cyprian Agashieze, the vacation judge of the court in Maitama, Abuja, adjourned hearing of the bail application until Wednesday.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Donatus Abah, told the court that the four women used the boys aged seven, eight and 12 for alms begging.
Abah told the court that the four defendants brought the boys from Imo with a promise to enroll them in school.
He alleged that the four women pretended to be blind and used the boys for begging for alms.
Abah added that the women were however, exposed by the “Brekete” Family Human Rights Radio and Television programme.
He told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 14(b) and 27, of the Trafficking in persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
Abah added, also, section 3(1), (2) and (3) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.
They pleaded not guilty to allegations against them.
Their counsel, B.C Nnadika told the court he has their bail application but Abah did not object to the request. (NAN)