Jigawa State High Court No. 3, sitting in Dutse, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced a 22-year-old Sagiru Muhammad, of Sakwaya Village, Dutse LGA, Jigawa State, to ten (10) years imprisonment for the offense of rape.
The prosecution counsel said the convict was earlier arraigned before the High Court on a lone count charge of rape.
He was alleged to have lured a girl on the pretext of buying ‘tofu’ or ‘bean cake’ (awara) during which he had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The offence, which took place on the 16th day of September, 2021, is contrary to Section 282 (1) (e) of the Penal Code, Cap. P3, Laws of Jigawa State, 2012 (as amended).
While delivering the judgment, Justice M.A. Sambo held that the prosecution from the State Ministry of Justice had proved all the ingredients of the offense of rape through their witnesses, particularly that of the victim’s mother, and the evidence of forensic examiner that conducted a medical investigation on the girl.
The court further went on to hold that the evidence of all the defense witnesses was successfully punctured by the prosecution and therefore inadmissible as all the defense witnesses were closely related to the defendant which made them have a purpose to serve.
The court further said the judgment is meant to serve as a deterrent to similar offenders.