The High Court 7, located in Birnin Kebbi and presided over by Justice Shamsudeen Jafar, has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the rape of an 18-year-old deaf woman. The convicts are Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno, all from Wararin Zaromawa village, were found guilty of the crime.
The Prosecution Counsel, Faridah Muhammad, detailed that the three men were charged with criminal conspiracy and rape.
She explained that the offenses occurred at Wararin Zaromawa village in Gwandu Local Government Area. “The defendants broke into the victim’s house while she was asleep and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. They choked her with a thick piece of cloth and tied her hands with a rope before having carnal knowledge of her one by one,”
Muhammad insisted that the convicts to be sentenced according to the law, which mandates a specific penalty for such offenses. She highlighted that criminal conspiracy and rape are punishable under sections 259 and 60 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses and six exhibits, including statements in both English and Hausa. In contrast, the defense, represented by Ahmed Abubakar-Filgila, did not present any documents or exhibits but had the three convicts testify in their defense. The defense counsel requested that the court show mercy.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Jafar confirmed that the prosecution had proven all elements of the crime. “I am of the firm view that all the defendants conspired in perpetrating the act,” Jafar said. He further noted that the evidence, corroborated by the victim’s and the first defendant’s statements, was not countered by the defense.
Justice Jafar concluded, “Having found you guilty of the charge, you Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno, are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment for finding all of you guilty under sections 259 and 60 of Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.”
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