A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has convicted Ibrahim Isah, a resident of Rikoto Area in Zuru Local Government but employed in Birnin Kebbi, for attempting to rape a young girl identified as Zainab Muhammad.
Presiding Justice Maryam Abubakar Kaoje found Isah guilty of attempting to commit rape, an offence punishable under Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
Isah had initially faced charges on two counts of rape and gross indecency, under Sections 259 and 261 of the state’s Penal Code Law.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Lawal Hudu Garba, and the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, of the Ministry of Justice, presented five witnesses and tendered three exhibits, including Isah’s statements in both English and Hausa, and a medical report of the victim.
The defence, led by Barrister S.M. DanYaro, called only the defendant as a witness.
In its ruling, the court noted that while the confessional statement did not establish rape or gross indecency, it proved the attempt to commit the offence.
Justice Kaoje said, “The facts disclosed in the confessional statement did not prove the offence of rape and act of gross indecency, but rather, it proved the offence of an attempt to commit an offence to wit; rape, contrary to Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.”
Ibrahim Isah was sentenced to five years imprisonment and fined N50,000. In default of payment, he will serve an additional year in prison.
