Court sentences man to five years for attempted rape of minor in Kebbi

A High Court in Kebbi State, has sentenced Ibrahim Isah to five years in prison for attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl.
‎
Justice Maryam Abubakar Kaoje, who delivered the judgement today Tuesday, December 16, convicted the defendant under Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021. The court ruled that while the full offense of rape was not established, the evidence proved an attempt to commit the crime.
‎
The defendant, a resident of Zuru Local Government Area, was initially arraigned on two counts of rape and gross indecency under Sections 259 and 261 of the Penal Code.
‎
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lawal Hudu Garba, SAN, called five witnesses and tendered three exhibits. These included the medical report of the victim and the confessional statements of the defendant, recorded in both English and Hausa languages.
‎
The court sentenced Isah to five years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of N50,000. Failure to pay the fine attracts an additional one-year jail term.
‎
The Defense, led by Barrister S.M. DanYaro, called a witness and the defendant to the stand to counter the charges. While they succeeded in creating enough doubt to avoid a conviction on the primary charge of rape, which carries a heavier sentence, they could not refute the evidence of the attempt, leading to the five-year custodial sentence.
‎
Ibrahim Isah will begin serving his sentence immediately. He faces an extended term if the accompanying fine is not settled.
‎