The 45-year-old Sani Abubakar is to spend 10 years in a correctional centre after he was found guilty of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old minor under his care.
A special warrant Chief Magistrate Sa'adatu Abubakar Gambo, who handed down the sentence Friday, described the convict as a betrayer of trust.
The said Abubakar Sani was earlier arraigned by the police after a complaint was lodged at the Niger State Child Rights Agency, on the 3rd of September, 2021, by one Mohammed Naibi of Type B Quarters in Minna that the convict has lured the minor who is under his care into his room and sexually assaulted her severally.
"Upon the receipt of the report, the Director General of the state Child Rights Agency, then invited the police to effect his arrest."
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Jibrin, Sani Abubakar was arraigned under section 18 (2) of the Child Right Law of Niger State 2010.
Since his arrest and arraignment in court, Sani Abubakar has been in correctional custody as a result of the heinous nature of the crime he committed against the minor under his care as her guardian.
While passing her judgement, the Chief Magistrate noted that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to him and other guardians like him, who are in the habit of betraying the trust bestowed on them.
"This punishment is to serve as a deterrent to you and other guardians like you who are fond of betraying the trust bestowed on them, and taking advantage of fiducial relationship of trust between them and their female wards under their care, as a protector to his minor.
"It is disheartening and unfortunate that the convict was so insensitive toward his 12 years old ward under his care. You are hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence will serve as a deterrent to you and others of like minds," she ruled.