Man, 40, bags 4 years, 12 lashes for raping 11-year-old girl

The Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Damaturu has sentenced Saidu Lawan, 40, of Kasatchiya ward, Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area to four years in jail for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

The presiding Magistrate, Aisha Abubakar, said the court was convinced beyond doubt that the convict carried out the offense and convicted him without option of fine.

The State Council, Fatima Mohammed, told the court that the 40-year-old convict had forcefully defiled the minor in an uncompleted building at Mari ward, Buni Yadi town, and gave her N20.

When the charges were read to the convict, he instantly pleaded guilty as charged but the court rejected his plea and ordered the prosecution counsel to probe his case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecuting counsel called four witnesses, including a police IPO and a medical doctor, and tendered four exhibits that included a medical report and the N20 note.

The convict was told he committed an offense contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code.

Delivering the judgement, the Magistrate Aisha Abubakar, sentenced him to three years in prison without option of fine.

She also ordered N200,000 compensation to the victim or the convict should serve one year imprisonment for contravening section 78 and 365 of the Criminal procedure law. Both sentences are to run concurrently

The Magistrate also administered 12 lashes on the convict for contravening section 77 of the panel code.