AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 45-year-old man, Sani Abubakar, will have to spend the next 10 years in prison custody for defiling a 12- year old girl put in his care as a guardian by the girl’s parents.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Minna, Niger State, which found him guilty for the alleged offence and sentenced him accordingly.
The Special Warrant Chief Magistrate, Sa’adatu Abubakar Gambo, while sentencing him, described the convict as a betrayer of trust.
The convict, Abubakar, was earlier arraigned by the Police after a complaint was lodged against him at the Niger State Child Rights Agency on 3rd September, 2021, by one Mohammed Naibi of Type B Quarters in Minna.
The complainant told the Police that the convict lured the girl, who was under his care into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the little girl on different occasions without her consent.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Director General of the State Child Rights Agency, thereby invited the Police to effect the arrest of the accused person.”
According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Jibrin, the suspect, Sani Abubakar, was promptly arraigned in Court under Section 18 (2) of the Child Rights Law of Niger State 2010.
Abubakar was arraigned and remanded in correctional custody as a result of the heinous nature of the crime he committed against the minor under his care as her guardian.
During the judgement, the Chief Magistrate noted that the conviction of the accused person will serve as a deterrent to him and other guardians like him, who were in the habits of betraying the trust bestowed on them.
“This punishment is to serve as a deterrent to you and other guardians like you who are fond of betraying the trust bestowed on them, and taking advantage of fiducial relationship of trust between them and the female wards under their care, as a protector to his minor.”
“It is disheartening and unfortunate that the convict was so insensitive towards his 12-year old ward under his care.”
“You are hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The sentence will serve as a deterrent to you and others of like minds,” she ruled.