An Abuja High Court on Thursday granted bail to four women accused of child trafficking, setting bail at ₦1 million each.
The defendants — Precious Silas (30), Ngozi Unukwuwa (47), Chidinma Onukwuagha (40), and Favour Ohebegeim (25) — all residents of Karimo, Abuja, were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy and trafficking in children.
Justice Cyprian Agashieze, sitting as a vacation judge in Maitama, approved their bail application following submissions from their legal counsel, B.C. Nnadika.
As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered each woman to present two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must be employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and hold a position not lower than Grade Level 14.
Pending compliance with the bail terms, the judge ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until October 8 for trial.
During proceedings, prosecuting counsel Donatus Abah alleged that the four women brought three boys, aged 7, 8, and 12, from Imo State under the guise of enrolling them in school.
Instead, according to Abah, the women were said to have exploited the children by pretending to be visually impaired and using the boys to beg for alms in public places.
He further noted that the alleged activities were uncovered following an investigation by the “Brekete Family” Human Rights Radio and Television programme.
Abah stated that the alleged offences violated Sections 14(b) and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as well as Sections 3(1), (2), and (3) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.