Monrovia, Liberia- Five women accused of trafficking 14 children have been remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison as they await court trial.The suspects, Halimatu Daramy, Fanta Doe, Hawah Kamara, Henrietta Beaye, and Grace H. Sesay, were arrested by the Liberia Immigration Service at the Red Light Market while allegedly attempting to leave the country with the children.Authorities say the women were found traveling with children ranging in age from 11 months to 8 years.
According to Police charge sheet, the women reportedly admitted that they were en route to Burkina Faso for a resettlement program offered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), following an unsuccessful attempt to settle in Mali earlier this year.
Police investigation further revealed that the five women claimed that the children were their relatives and said they brought them along due to outstanding debts incurred after returning to Liberia without support.The Investigators disclosed that defendant Halimatu Daramy played a central role in convincing the others to undertake the journey.
The court documents further unveiled that the five defendants had previously received L$50,000 from the Ministry of Gender and a church organization to help them resettle in Liberia, but they reportedly disregarded the assistance.The case remains under investigation, while the defendants are being remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison pending court trial.
