Man, 58, Docked for Raping Six-year-old Girl in Niger

A 58-year-old man, Mr. Yau Ibrahim, of Kundu village in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, has been docked at Minna Senior Magistrate Court for raping a six year old girl.

According to the police’s First Information Report (FIR), one Mr. Abdullahi Dauda of Kundun Village in Rafi Local Government Area reported to the Kagara Divisional Police Station that Ibrahim lured his six year old granddaughter to his room and abused her sexually.

The report led to the arrest of Ibrahim who confessed during investigation that he committed the crime.

The accused was thereafter arraigned before the court for contravening Sections 26 (2) and 27 (2) of the Niger Child Rights and Protection Law 2021 as amended.

When the charge was read to him, Ibrahim pleaded guilty but the prosecution opposed his summary trial because the sentence that would follow might not carry the maximum sentence.

The Senior Magistrate, Ms. Hafsat Abdul Bawa Wuse, aligned herself with the submission of the prosecution and ruled that the accused should go through the full trial.

Wuse said: “I really agree with you (prosecutor). We need to take some witnesses including the investigating police officer and possibly the victim.

“Convicting him summarily will not serve the deserved punishment. We need to commence full trial to enable the court arrive at the real punishment that will serve as a deterrent to others. Convicting the accused summarily will not serve the purpose of the case.”

She adjourned the case to September 11 for commencement of trial, wondering how “a 58 year old man can engage a six year old girl that can be his granddaughter in sexual abuse.” D

She described the offence as “callous and wicked.”