Man sentenced to life in prison for raping 8-year-old deaf girl

A High Court in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has sentenced one Jamilu Abdullahi to life in prison for raping an eight-year-old deaf girl.

The court found that Abdullahi lured the victim into an uncompleted building in Dan-Warai village in Aliero LGA where he sexually assaulted her.

Justice Maryam Abubakar-Kaoje described the crime as heinous, noting that the convict exploited the child’s vulnerability and betrayed the community’s trust.

She said the prosecution presented a strong case, including a confessional statement, an eyewitness testimony and circumstantial evidence.

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Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Zainab Jabbo, told the court that, “She was accosted by the defendant who lured her into an uncompleted building and had carnal knowledge of her.”

Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested 32 suspects involved in a range of criminal activities, including theft, kidnapping, rape, vandalism, murder, cultism and child trafficking.

During a press conference, the Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, said among those arrested was one Paul Samuel Edu, a 44-year-old man, for allegedly assaulting and raping a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Ukana Iba village, Essien Udim.

He said, “On 20/7/2024 at about 3pm, an NYSC member residing in Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that at about 3am Paul Samuel Edu (her landlord’s son) came knocking at her door. That upon opening the door, he brandished a machete and directed her to follow him to his room for a talk or else he would harm her. On reaching the suspect’s room, he bolted the door, tore her clothes and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

“Suspect was arrested, one machete and a slaughter knife were recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.”