12th September, 2017
A Minna Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday sentenced two men – Ayuba Salihu, 32, and Bala Sani, 48 – to five years in prison each, without an option of fine, for rape.
The duo had been arraigned on a one-count charge of rape.
Abdullahi Maiyaki, prosecutor of the Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency, had told the court that Salihu, a tailor, resident at New Market, in Minna, lured an eight-year-old girl with N100 and had sex with her on Aug. 31.
He told the court that medical expenses incurred by the girl’s parents, following injuries as a result of that act, were refunded by the agency.
Maiyaki said that Sani, a resident of Tayi village in Minna, also lured a 10-year-old girl into his room and had sexual intercourse with her, on July 30.
“The offences contravene Section 18, subsection 2 of the Niger State Child Rights Law,” he said.
At the hearing of the cases on Sept. 6, the duo pleaded guilty, but the Magistrate, Hassan Mohammed, reserved judgment to Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Mohammed, in his judgment, sentenced the two rapists to five years imprisonment each, without an option of fine “to serve as deterrent to others with similar evil intentions”.
Reacting to the judgment, Mrs. Mairam Kolo, Director General, Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency, commended the judiciary for ensuring justice for the victims.
“The judgment will bring succor to the victims’ families. It will also serve as a deterrent to men who humiliate women and little girls,” she said.