Four women in Abuja have been charged with trafficking boys and using them for street begging.
Prosecutors allege they pretended to be blind to solicit money from unsuspecting motorists.
Four women have been brought before a High Court in Abuja on charges of child trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
The accused, identified as Precious Silas, 30; Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47; Chisinau Onukwuagha, 40; and Favour Ohebegeim, 25, are said to be residents of Karimo in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the prosecution, the women allegedly transported three boys aged seven, eight, and twelve from Imo State under the guise of enrolling them in school. Instead, they reportedly pretended to be blind and used the children to solicit money from motorists.
The prosecutor noted that the alleged acts contravene provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as well as the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, which safeguard children from exploitation.
The defendants entered a plea of not guilty, and their counsel, B.C. Nnadika, requested bail for them.
