Three individuals receive life imprisonment for the heinous crime of raping a deaf woman. Discover the details of the case and the implications of this landmark judgment.
Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno were sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Shamsudeen Jafar in a Kebbi State High Court on Tuesday. The trio was found guilty of raping an 18-year-old married deaf woman.
At Wararin Zaromawa Village located in the Gwandu Local Government Area of the state, the incident occurred.
Barrister Faridah Muhammad, heading the prosecution team, presented evidence that demonstrated how the culprits entered the victim’s residence while she was sleeping. They subsequently suffocated her with a dense cloth and bound her hands using ropes before committing repetitive acts of rape towards her.
The prosecution insisted that the court enforce the mandatory sentence required by law for such transgressions in compliance with sections 259 and 60 of Kebbi State Penal Code Law,2021.
To support their argument, the prosecution summoned three witnesses and presented six exhibits that included statements from the witnesses in both English and Hausa.
Barrister Ahmed Abubakar-Fingila represented the defense and based their argument entirely on the accounts of the three convicts, without presenting any supplementary evidence or exhibits. In an appeal for compassion, counsel requested that leniency be shown towards those being defended by them.
Justice Jafar upheld the prosecution’s argument and confirmed that all crucial components to demonstrate conspiracy towards a crime, along with rape charges were proven without any doubts.
The defense did not contest the evidence presented by the prosecution, which included statements from the victim and corroborative testimony of the first defendant.
According to Justice Jafar, the court must act in accordance with the presented evidence. The defendants planned and sexually assaulted an 18-year-old deaf woman who was married and residing at her husband’s home.
The prosecution has provided sufficient proof of a criminal conspiracy for rape beyond any reasonable suspicion.
The court declared that Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno would receive life imprisonment. The severity of their punishment would deter anyone who might contemplate committing similar crimes in the future.
Justice Jafar labeled the defendants’ actions as despicable and appalling because they took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability.
The court’s dedication to preserving justice and safeguarding marginalized members of society is highlighted by this decision.
