Court sentences two rapists to 35 years each in Niger

A Minna Senior Magistrate Court in Bosso, has sentenced two men to a total of 35 years in correctional facility for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.

Senior Magistrate Christy Barau who handed down the sentence expressed concern on the rampant cases of sexual abuse on innocent girl child, particularly minors in some part of Niger State.

Hassan Haruna aged 24, and Labaran Yau age 18, both of Dikko town in Gurara Local government Area in Niger State, were arraigned on three count charges bordering on joint act, criminal intimidation, and unlawful sexual intercourse.

According to the police prosecutor, Sgt. Angela Jah, the three count charges were punishable under section 79 (397) of the penal code law and section 18 (2) of the child right law of Niger State 2010.

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that on the 12th of April, 2022 one Kure Yamawo of Ungwan Sarkin area of Dikko had reported at the Tafa divisional police command “that on the same date at about 1600 hrs you, Hassan Haruna and Labaran Yau both of Dikko Market area, lured his 17 years old daughter (name withheld) behind Mable line in Sabon Wuse where you both threatened to kill her and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her one after the other.

During police investigation, you both confessed to the Commission of the offence.”

When the charges were read to them by the presiding Senior Magistrate Christy Barau they both pleaded guilty.

However, the senior Magistrate then requested the police to conduct direct investigation into the case and make available the necessary evidences to enable the court arrive at ensuring their conviction in view of the gravity of the charges against them.

“Make available to the court the necessary and convincing envidences and witness so that the court will arrive at given them the maximum punishment they deserve.

“The gravity of the offences and charges against them is so severe that the court must be convinced to give them the punishment they deserve”. she told the prosecutor.

At this point, the police prosecutor in her evidences, three witness testified among them is the victim who gave the vivid pictures of her experience in their hands.

While passing her sentences on the two convicts, Senior Magistrate Christy Barau described the conduct of the two convicts as animalistic and barbaric that doesn’t deserve any sympathy from any court of law.

“You dont deserve the mercy of this court not even any court. Your act is animalistic and inhuman and barbaric that doesn’t even deserve to move freely on the street in part of Niger State.

If the appropriate punishment is not meted on both of you to serve as a deterrent to characters of your type out there, then court is not been fair to the innocent girl you sexually abused.

“You are hereby sentenced to 5 years in correctional centre in the offence of joint act contrary to section 79, 10 years for offence of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under section 81 of the childright law of Niger State and 10 years for intimidation all with no option of fine”