Four women involved in using children to beg for arms while pretending to be blind were remanded in police custody on Tuesday by a high court of Federal Capital Territory following their arraignment for child trafficking.
The women, identified as Precious Silas, 30, Ngozi Unukwuwa, 47, Chisinau Onukwuagha, 40, and Favour Ohebegeim, 25 all of Karimo in FCT, were arraigned on charges of with criminal conspiracy and child Trafficking.
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 to Abuja with a promise to enroll in schools.
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.
Justice Cyprian Agashieze, the vacation judge of the court in Maitama, Abuja, adjourned hearing of the bail application until Wednesday.
The court ordered their remand in police custody.
