By: Uthman Baba-Sirajdeen
The Minna Chief Magistrate court 1 on Tuesday 23 January 2024, ordered the remand of two middle-aged men in Correctional Centre on an allegation of gang-raping a 12 year old girl.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed who ordered for their remand said the court will conduct full trial of the case inview of the heinous nature of the crime against the innocent girl.
Umaru Hussaini and Zulkibilu Musa , all residents of Sabon Gari area of Kagara local government area of Niger state were said to have lured the 12 year old girl to the room of Zulkibilu Musa where they allegedly raped her.
According to the police Prosecutor , Inspector Bello Mohammed Beji the two defendants were standing trial on two count charges of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, which ” contravened sections 79 of the penal code law and section 26 (2) of Niger State child right act 2021″
He told the court that one Lawal Haruna of Sabon Gari area of Kagara in Niger State reported to Kagara divisional police headquarters that the two defendants lured his 12 year old daughter to the room and gang raped her .
Upon the receipt of the report he further told the court that detectives swung into action and effected the arrest of the two deffendants and during police Investigations they both confessed to have commited the offence.
When the charges were read to them by the President chief Magistrate Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed, Umaru Hussaini pleaded to have commited the crime while Zulkibilu Musa pleaded not guilty.
The Police Prosecutor Inspector Bello Mohammed applied for the adjougnment of the case for the police to bring their witnesses to commence full trial into the case while he prayed the court to remand the two defendants in Correctional Centre
He said ” although Investigation in to the case has completed and the case file is already ready for the full commencement of the case.
” My Lord I’m objecting to the bail of the two defendants because the charges against them is not ordinarily bailable. I applied for their remand in custody for us to bring our witnesses to commence full trial” he told the court.
Rulling on the application of the Prosecutor, Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed then ordered for their remand and adjougned the case to 14th February for hearing.
