Yau Ibrahim, about fifty-eight years old has been brought to trial before the Angwan Senior Magistrate Court in Minna, Niger state, reportedly engaging in sexual activity with a young girl of age 6.
Ibrahim who is from Kundun village in Rafi local government area of Niger State has been brought to trial before the court twice on illegitimate sexual intercourse with a child, sexual abuse, and exploitation. According to the police prosecutor Inspector Aliyu Yakubu Kuta contravenes sections 26 (2) and 27 (2) of the Niger Child Rights and Protection law of Niger State 2021 as amended.
It was made known by the police first information report (FIR) that Abdullahi Dauda of Kundun village in Rafi local government reported to Kagara Divisional police command that Ibrahim, the defendant lured his six-year-old granddaughter to his room and defiled her.
The report has it that the accused confessed to the illicit crime of defiling the child in his room during the police preliminary investigation.
While the allegations were read out to him by Senior Magistrate Hafsat Abdul Bawa Wuse, who was presiding over the case, the defendant pled guilty to the two offenses and begged for mercy
Due to the “heinous and capital nature” of the offenses, the police prosecutor disagreed with the bail application and a summary decision.
“My Lord, I will not allow the conviction of the defendant on summary trial. I urge the court to commence full trial into the case to enable the court to take witnesses before arriving at the nature of judgment he deserves in accordance to the amended Child Right Law of Niger State.”
The presiding Senior Magistrate, Hafsat Abdul Bawa Wuse in response to the prosecutor’s oral application said she stated that she completely agreed with the prosecutor’s stance.
“I agree with you. We need to take some witnesses including the investigating police officer and possibly the victim.
“I cannot imagine a 58 years old man to engage a six-year-old girl that can be his granddaughter to such exploitation and sexual abuse her so, let us get the police investigating officer and his statement to the police and his admittance in court for the court to arrive at passing heavy punishment on him” Hafsat declared.