A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has convicted Ibrahim Isah, a resident of Rikoto area in Zuru Local Government but employed in Birnin Kebbi, for attempting to rape a young girl identified as Zainab Muhammad.
Presiding Judge Maryam Abubakar Kaoje found Isah guilty of attempting to commit rape, an offense punishable under Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Act, 2021.
Isah had initially faced charges of two counts of rape and gross indecency, under articles 259 and 261 of the state Penal Code.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Lawal Hudu Garba and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Ministry of Justice, presented five witnesses and presented three pieces of evidence, including Isah’s statements in both English and Hausa, and a medical report of the victim.
The defense, led by lawyer SM DanYaro, only called the accused as a witness.
In its ruling, the court noted that while the confessional statement did not establish rape or gross indecency, it demonstrated the intent to commit the crime.
Judge Kaoje said: “The facts revealed in the confessional statement do not prove the offense of rape and act of gross indecency, but rather the offense of attempting to commit a crime of ingenuity – rape, contrary to Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Act 2021.”
Ibrahim Isah was sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of N50,000. In case of non-payment, he will serve an additional year in prison.