A JIGAWA State High Court has sentenced a rapist, Abubakar Muhd, popularly known as Akuya, to death by hanging and ordered him to pay N5 million in compensation to his 15-year-old victim.
This newspaper reports that the case was filed in March 2022 but was not prosecuted until now, as the trial had been delayed due to various reasons, including the need for additional evidence and witness testimony.
Our Correspondent gathered that initially, the case was classified as a sodomy case, but with the new law being implemented in Jigawa State, it was reclassified and charged as ‘rape’ under the new law (Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2012,) which broadened the definition of rape to include same-sex rape, allowing for the prosecution to pursue a more severe charge.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Ado Yusif Birnin-kudu, found Muhd guilty of raping a 15-year-old boy from Nomi Village, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
“The convict committed the offence contrary to Section 3(1) a&b of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and punishable under Section 3(2) 4 & 5 of the VAPP Law, 2012, of Jigawa State,” Justice Birnin-kudu said.
The court also found the convict guilty of having unlawful carnal intercourse with the minor, and subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging.
In addition to the death sentence, Justice Ado Yusif Birnin Kudu ordered the convict to pay the sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) as compensation to the victim.
Commenting on the judgment, the prosecution counsel led by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Jigawa State Ministry of Justice, Barr. Yahaya Abdullahi stated that “the judgment is sound and justly delivered.”
“This will serve as a strong deterrent to others who might contemplate such heinous crimes,” he added.
However, Abdullahi commended the state judiciary for its steadfast commitment to justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The prosecution counsel, led by Abdullahi, presented strong evidence in court, which led to the conviction of the rapist.
Reacting further when contacted by our Correspondent on development, the Director of Publicity and Protocol, Judiciary, Jigawa State, Abbas Wangara, praised the court’s decision, saying it sends a strong message to would-be offenders.
Wangara said that “the Jigawa State Government reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the VAPP Law and other legal instruments designed to protect citizens from all forms of violence.”
Efforts by our correspondent to speak with Muhd, the convicted rapist, were unsuccessful as he declined to comment on the verdict.
Similarly, attempts to speak with his lawyer, Barrister Lauiza from Legal Aide Council, Jigawa State Office, who represented him in court, were abortive as she also declined to comment on whether they would appeal the judgment.
The convict has been remanded in custody pending the execution of the sentence.