Jigawa High Court sentences man to life imprisonment for sodomizing 2 ‘Almajiri pupils’

The Jigawa State High Court No. 6, sitting in Birnin Kudu presided by  His Lordship Justice Musa Ubale, on Thursday, 23rd day of November, 2023, convicted and sentenced one Israfilu Sagiru, (m), 25 years, of Zarena Village, Birnin Kudu LGA, Jigawa State, to life imprisonment for the offence of Rape, contrary to Section 3 (1) (e) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) No. 02, 2021.

The Public Relations Officer of Jigawa state Ministry of Justice, Zainab Baba Santali disclosed in a press statement released to newsmen.

The convict was arraigned on 5th September 2021, before the High Court on a two count rape charges, alleged to have lured and sodomized two ‘almajiri’ pupils aged 11 and 12, on the pretext of giving them new clothes where he had unlawful anal intercourse with them.

In prove of the case,prosecution called 3  witnesses ,, tendered  confessional statement of the defendant, and  evidence of forensic examiner that conducted medical investigation on the boys which corroborated the case of the prosecution, while the defendant testified in his own defense.

Delivering the judgment, His Lordship Justice Ubale, held that, the prosecution from the State Ministry of Justice, had proved all the ingredients of Rape thereby sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment.

The judge further stated that, it is sad that the convict had taken undue advantage of the victims  vulnerability and  tender age to perpetrate the crime, called on parent to be more responsive.

Dissatisfied party has 90 days within which to appeal the judgment.