A 50-year-old man, Luku Labi, who allegedly trafficked 10 children from Benin Republic into Nigeria, was yesterday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.
The accused, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import and confining children.
The prosecutor, Inspector Rita Momah, told the court that the accused and some others at large committed the offences on January 19, at about 3:30pm. at Ojo area, Lagos.
Momah alleged that the accused and his accomplices brought the children, whose ages ranged from 10 to 16 years with an intention to use them as child labourers.
She said that the accused was caught at Ojo, a Lagos suburb, where he kept the children.
Momah said the offences contravened Sections 207, 274 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs F. A. Adeeyo granted the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till February 21 for mention.
