The Anguwan Daji Senior Magistrate Court in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the remand of a 58-year-old man in a correctional facility until September 11, 2023.
The presiding senior magistrate, Hafsat Abdul Bawa Wuse, who ordered the remand, stated that the offence for which the defendant was standing trial was grievous in nature, hence his remand in a correctional facility.
Yau Ibrahim, of Kundu village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, was arraigned in court on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, sexual abuse, and exploitation.
According to Police Prosecutor Inspector Aliyu Yakubu Kuta, the offences contravened sections 26 (2) and 27 (2) of the Niger State Child Right and Protection Law of Niger State 2021, as amended.
The police First Information Report (FIR), made available in court and obtained by this reporter, explained that one Abdullahi Dauda of Kundu village in Rafi local government had reported to the Kagara Divisional Police Command that the defendant of the same address lured his six-year-old granddaughter to his room and sexually abused her.
During the police investigation, the 58-year-old defendant confessed and admitted to the police that he had sexual intercourse with the six-year-old child in his room.
When the charges were read to the defendant by the presiding senior magistrate, Hafsat Abdul Bawa Wuse, he pleaded guilty to the two-count charges and pleaded for leniency.
However, the police prosecutor told the court that, because of the heinous nature of the offences, he objected to the defendant's summary conviction.
Responding to the oral application of the police prosecutor, the presiding Magistrate Hafsat Abdul Bawa told the prosecutor that she aligned herself with the submission of the prosecutor.
"I really agreed with you. We need some witnesses, including the investigating police officer and possibly the victim.
"Convicting him summarily would not serve the deserving punishment. We need to commence a full trial to enable the court to arrive at giving him the real punishment that will serve as a deterrent to others," she pointed out.
She then adjourned the case to September 11 for the commencement of the hearing and the taking of witnesses.