Man Sentenced To 14 Years Imprisonment For Raping 13-Year-Old IDP

-The convict lured the unsuspecting victim to a hotel in Maiduguri and raped her.

Man sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for raping 13-year-old IDP

A Borno State High Court has sentenced one Yahaya Umar has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old Hajja Ibrahim, an Internally Displaced Person (IDP).

According to the charg, Umar enticed the victim from Abaganaram IDPs camp in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to one Rainbow Hotel in same Maiduguri city and had forceful sexual intercourse with her.

The charge reads, “That you Yahaya Umar (male), on or about 21st September 2016 at about 1900 hours at railway quarters Maiduguri , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed rape on one Hajja Ibrahim of IDPs camp Abaganaram primary school , in that you forcefully had sexual intercourse with her and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 283 of the penal code laws of Borno State.”

In order to prove the case, the prosecution counsel brought five witnesses to testify and some exhibits were tendered in evidence, while the defence counsel  called the accused to testify for his defence.

All the testimonies of witnesses as well as the defence were examined by the trial Judge, Justice Alkali Wakkil Gana.

After listening to the testimonies,  the Justice Alkali Wakkil Gana gave his verdict.

Justice Gana said, “I believe the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. They impressed me as witness of truth. Accused person in his defence stated that the victim wanted a place to stay hence he took her to his house and harboured her until the following day.

“You can tell this type of information to the marines. It is a matter of common knowledge that there is curfew in Maiduguri and everybody is expected to be at home before 10pm.

“The court is at loss why the accused person should carry the young girl to his house. He is not a truthful witness. I have watched his demeanor in the witness box. He did not impress me as witness of truth.”

I disbelieve his testimony.”

Justice Gana stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and hence found the accused guilty of the offence and ruled that he be imprisoned for 14 years.

“I find him guilty as charged and hereby proceed to convict him. Predators of minors should beware, they do not deserve any clemency. The convict has committed a heinous crime. He does not deserve any sympathy knowing the conditions the IDPs are going through. Only the devil can commit such atrocity.

“Parents and guardians should desist from compromising or condoning any abuse against their wards. He is sentenced to maximum prison term of 14 years with hard labour,” Justice Gana pronounced.