A Minna Magistrate Court, Angwan Daji has sentenced a sixty years old tailor to 30 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Mohammed Sani Umar was convicted on one count charge of unlawful intercourse with a child punishable under section 18(2), of the Child right Law of Niger State 2010.
He was earlier arraigned in the court when his charge was read to him by the presiding Magistrate Hajiya Safurat Abdulkareem, he pleaded guilty to the charge and the prosecutor, Inspector Mua’zu Abdullahi requested the court to try him summarily in accordance with section 157 of the criminal procedure code.
However, the Magistrate objected to the request insisting that the prosecutor should come with his evidences and witnesses for her to give accelerated hearing in the case on the ground that his admittance of guilty was not convincing enough for her to convict him.
She then ordered for his remand in custodial facility pending when the prosecutor will come with his witnesses and evidences.
Two witnesses testified against him with two evidences tendered which includes his statement and the medical report from the hospital.
He was said to have forcefully had a sexual intercourse with a 9 years old girl on two occassion after he lured her to his shop in Kasuwn Dare area of Chanchaga in Minna Niger State.
According to the police First Information Report (FIR), which was made available in court a copy of which was obtained by CAPITAL POST, one, Hassan Saidu Arah, of Kasuwan Dare area of Chanchaga had reported to the police saying, “you Mohammed Sani Umar aged 60 years old, lured his 9 years old daughter (names witheld), into your shop in the same Kasuwan Dare and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her on two different occasions and during police investigation you confessed to the offence.”
While passing her judgement on him, Magistrate Safurat Abdulkareem noted that cases of rape and violence against girl child and women is on the increase in the state and beyond.
“With the evidences and the testimonies of the witnesses and the victim, the court is convinced beyond reasonable doubt and you are convicted as charge.
“The court will not be seen to be doing justice if appropriate punishment is not meted on you to serve as a deterrent to others.
“You are hereby sentenced to 30 years imprisonment without an option of fine. You have the right of appeal within the next 30 days”she ruled.
