The Minna Chief Magistrate Court Number One Tuesday ordered the remand of two middle-aged men in correctional custody for gang-raping a 12-year-old girl.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed, who ordered their remand, said the court will conduct a full trial of the case in view of its heinous nature against the innocent girl.
Umaru Hussaini and Zulkibilu Musa, all residents of the Sabon Gari area of Kagara, headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, were said to have lured the girl into the room of Zulkibilu Musa, after which they raped her one after the other.
According to police Prosecutor Inspector Bello Mohammed Beji, the two defendants were standing trial on two counts of charges of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, "which contravened sections 79 of the penal code law and section 26 (2) of the Niger State Child Rights Act 2021.".
He told the court that one Lawal Haruna of the Sabon Gari area of the same address reported to Kagara Divisional Police headquarters that the two defendants lured his 12-year-old daughter to the room and gang raped her one after the other.
Upon receipt of the report, he further told the court that detectives swung into action and effected the arrest of the two defendants, and during police interrogation, they both confessed to having committed the offence.
When the charges were read to them by the presiding chief magistrate, Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed, Umaru Hussaini pleaded guilty to the crime, while Zulkibilu Musa pleaded not guilty.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Bello Mohammed, applied for the adjournment of the case for the police to bring their witnesses to commence a full trial in the case, while he requested the remand of the two defendants in correctional custody.
Ruling on the application of the prosecutor, Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed, then ordered their remand and adjourned the case to February 14, 2024, for hearing.