A Senior Magistrate Court in Minna, Niger State, has sentenced four men to a combined 95 years imprisonment after finding them guilty of sexual offences involving a minor.
The judgment was delivered by Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau at Court No. 4, Old Secretariat, Minna, following the conclusion of a trial that began after the defendants were arrested by operatives of the Kontagora Divisional Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The convicts, identified as Salisu Shehu Baura, Lawali Shaibu, Haruna Musa Saidu and Bello, were prosecuted on charges bordering on joint criminal conduct and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under relevant provisions of the Penal Code and the Child Rights Law of Niger State.
According to court records, the prosecution presented witnesses and documentary evidence in support of the case, including medical reports and statements tendered before the court.
In her judgment, Magistrate Barau held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the defendants guilty as charged.
The court sentenced the first, second and third convicts to 20 years imprisonment each for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and an additional five years each for joint criminal conduct.
The fourth defendant, who is currently at large and was convicted in absentia, received a 20-year prison sentence.
While delivering the judgment, the magistrate described crimes against children as grave offences that must attract appropriate sanctions to protect vulnerable members of society and deter future offenders.
The court also awarded N1 million compensation to the victim to assist with recovery and support following the ordeal.
The case was prosecuted by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC, while Mohammed Jibrin Lemu appeared for the defence.