Sokoto state governor Waziri Tambuwal has directed investigation into a man who filmed his sexual assault on a girl and released the video to scuttle her wedding years later.
The governor’s media and publicity, Muhammad Bello, said the governor’s directive was not for an arrest but for investigation after being briefed by Sokoto police commissioner.
“He only urged them to investigate the case further and whoever is found wanting, the law should allow to take it course. But he never directed them to make any arrest,” he said.
The girl’s mother, Safiya Umar, who’s been pushing for justice, had earlier confirmed the order.
“The Governor has directed the Commissioner to investigate the matter and ensure justice is done to the case.
The man, Baffa Hayatu Tafida is the son of one of Tambuwal’s special advisers and was 17 when the incident happened in 2017.
The girl was 16 when Tafida lured her to a hotel and the sexual encounter recorded on a mobile phone video.
Umar alleged that the suspect, even shared the video with her suitor as a result of which the marriage proposal crashed.
Speaking about the order, she said, “These are the kind of people we need as leaders. Those who are ready to do justice no matter who is involved.:
” The police has invited and taken my statement already,” she said.
The Sokoto Hisbah, or Sharia police, arrested Tafida last week, before it was disbanded.
Former Commander of Sokoto Hisbah Commission, Dr. Adamu Bello Kasarawa said the case was now in the hands of the police based on the directive of the Governor.
On the disbandment of the Commission, Kasarawa said it was a welcome development because it was meant to restructure and reorganize the commission.
