Kano Court Hands Down 14-Year Sentence for Child Abuse
A High Court of Justice in Kano presided over by Hon. Justice Maryam Sabo on Friday, jailed one Shamsu Adamu to 14 years imprisonment with sundry work in a correctional centre for defiling a five-year-old girl.
The convict, Adamu, an adult resident of Kunture in Ungogo Local Government Area, was found guilty of rape contrary to section 283 of the Penal Code Law.
To prove his case beyond any doubt, Prosecution Counsel, Barr A.U. Adamu presented three witnesses, including the victim, neighbours, and an investigative police officer.
Leading in evidence, the witnesses testified that on or about 7th June 2021 at about 4:00 pm, at Kunture Village in Ungogo LGA within Kano Judicial Division, the convict lured the victim into his room, attached to their house and raped her, then pushed her outside the room and ran away.
When the charge was read to the suspect, he pleaded not guilty and testified as a sole defense witness after that.
He was arraigned on a two-count charge of rape contrary to section 283 of the Penal Code and an unnatural offense against the order of nature, punishable under Section 284 of the Penal Code.
In her judgment, Justice Sabo, said although there was no direct evidence linking the defendant to the offense, however, according to her, “by the circumstantial evidence adduced before the court during the trial, especially that of the victim’s mother who saw blood on the private part of her child. Also, the prosecution, who similarly led the investigation team to the room of the defendant, I strongly believe that the prosecution counsel was able to prove the offence of rape against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.”
She added, “Consequently, I found you Shamsu Adamu, male adult of Kunture Village in Ungogo LGA guilty as charged of the offense of rape, under Section 282 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 283 of the same Law.
“I hereby convict and sentence you to 14 years imprisonment with hard work in the correctional centre.”
Similarly, in her judgement, Justice Sabo averred that from the evidence before the court, the prosecution has failed to prove the offence of unnatural offence against the defendant.
“The Evidence of PW 3 is insufficient to establish the offence of unnatural offence against the defendant.
“I therefore discharge and acquit the defendant for the offence of unnatural offence charged under Section 284 of the Penal Code.”
