Justice Shamsudeen Jafar of the Kebbi State High Court, on Tuesday, sentenced Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno to life imprisonment for the rape of an 18-year-old married deaf woman.
Prosecution Counsel Barrister Faridah Muhammad explained that the defendants were charged with criminal conspiracy and rape, which took place in Wararin Zaromawa Village, Gwandu Local Government Area.
The convicts broke into the victim’s home, attacked her while she was sleeping, and sexually assaulted her one after another. They used a cloth to choke her and bound her hands with rope before the assault.
Muhammad argued that a life sentence was warranted as mandated by law for rape. According to the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021, criminal conspiracy and rape are punishable under sections 259 and 60.
The prosecution presented testimony from three witnesses and six exhibits, including statements in both English and Hausa.
The defense, represented by Barrister Ahmed Abubakar-Fingila, only had the defendants testify without presenting additional evidence. The defense requested the court to show mercy in sentencing.
In his judgment, Justice Jafar found the defendants guilty, affirming that the prosecution had proven all elements of the crime with consistent testimony from the victim and the first defendant, and that the defense failed to provide counter-evidence.
