A businesswoman, Aisha Sani, was on Friday arraigned before a Wuse Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on charges of cruelty to a three-year-old girl, abduction, and assault.
Sani, a resident of Jabi, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The prosecuting counsel, Donatus Abah, told the court that neighbours of the defendant reported the matter to Brekete Family, Human Rights Radio and Television programme, on Sept. 8.
Abah said the neighbours alleged that they frequently saw the defendant maltreat and assault the child in her Jabi residence.
He added that investigations revealed the defendant deceitfully abducted the girl from Edo State before subjecting her to repeated abuse.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 238, 273 and 265 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate Sunday Adukwu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
Adukwu ordered that the surety provide two passport photographs and a National Identification Card, before adjourning the case until Sept. 22 for hearing.
(NAN)