By Suleiman Yakubu

The Minna Senior Magistrate Court No. 4, sitting at the old Secretariat Complex, has ordered the remand of a butcher in a correctional facility for sexually assaulting a minor.
Zaiyanu Abdullahi, of Tudun Nasira area of Minna, was remanded in a correctional facility by the presiding Senior Magistrate Christy Barau on a three-count charge that concerned the removal of a child from the custody of her parents, sexual intercourse with a child, sexual abuse, and exploitation.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Adamu, the three-count charges contravened sections 15 (2), 26 (2), and 27 (2) of the Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021 (as amended).
On August 16, 2023, one Mohammed Jiya, of Gurara area of Minna, reported at the Niger State Child Right Agency office in Minna that June 8, 2023, Zaiyanu Abdullahi, a butcher in Minna and resident of Tudun Nasira area, took his 13-year-old daughter (name withheld) out of his custody without his consent to his house, where she stayed and cohabited with him in his house for three months.
The prosecutor explained that after a thorough search, the said missing daughter was found to have been living with the accused in his room at the above address.
The police First Information Report (FIR) made available in court and obtained by our reporter revealed that during the police investigation, the victim identified the defendant as the person who took her to his house and was among the persons who repeatedly raped and sexually abused her with his friends.
When the charge was read to him by the senior magistrate, Christy Barau, he pleaded not guilty to the three-count charges, while the police prosecutor, inspector Godwin Adamu, told the court that a police investigation into the matter had just commenced and he requested the remand of the defendant.
While granting the request of the prosecutor, Senior Magistrate Christy Barau then ordered his remand and adjourned the case to September 21, 2023, for further hearing.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, said that she was always ready to learn, listen, and collaborate with the staff of the ministry, noting that there has to be collective efforts for the ministry to succeed without hatred and witch-hunting one another.
The commissioner, who was speaking during a brief reception when she formally assumed office as the first female commissioner of information in the state, explained that she was ready to work in the ministry with everybody as one family for a better Niger State.
Hon. Binta Mamman was warmly received into her office by the Permanent Secretary, directors, some heads of parastatals and agencies, and staff of the ministry.
She expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for choosing her from her constituency and placing her in the position she occupied today.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Hajiya Aishatu Nuhu Yarwa, assured the commissioner of full cooperation from the staff of the ministry.
She pointed out that women constitute the majority at the managerial level of the ministry and have a very good rapport with one another; therefore, they are ready to support and work with the commissioner.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Su'ad Lami Yakawu, stressed that the commissioner will surely find it interesting and supportive working with women, noting that "women used to be taken as gossips or only knew about how to dress, but you will be taken to the upper level by the grace of God working with women".
Alh Sulaiman Abdul-Ganiyu, the husband of the commissioner, described his wife as a good fellow and assured the staff of the ministry of her effectiveness in the discharge of her duties.
In his vote of thanks, the Officer-in-Charge of Press, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Moses Ishaku, appreciated the essence of being part of women and harmoniously working with them.
Hon. Binta Mamman, a former legislator representing Gurara Local Government at the 9th state assembly, was among the 30 commissioners recently sworn in by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State.