Four men, alongside 14 other accomplices, on Wednesday appeared before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful imprisonment, deprivation of liberty and abandonment of 25 children.
The police prosecutor, Adewale Amos, said the prime suspects, Mojeed Oyelami, 36, Lateef Ganiyu, 22, Nurudeen Moshood, 24 and Yusuf Hassan, 21, were apprehended on June 11 at Ita-Baale Area following a tip-off.
Amos said investigations revealed that the four accused persons illegally operated a foster care outfit where they maltreated and abused children placed in their care by unsuspecting accomplices who were the parents.
The children, who also testified in court, claimed that they were subjected to inhuman ordeals in the hands of the accused, who they claim locked them up for days in poor living conditions.
The accused persons all pleaded not guilty to the charges, with the parents admitting they sent their wards to the foster home for disciplinary purposes.
The parents, who were charged with abandonment, claimed ignorance of the children’s abuse.
The case was adjourned till June 22 for further hearing.
