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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Husseini Mustapha has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kogi State High Court sitting at Anyigba for raping a minor.
The convict was said to have committed the offences at Ajakeya, Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State on November 14, 2024.
According to the prosecution,the said minor was in company of her sister enroute to a prayer ground when the convict intercepted them,took her to a nearby bush by force and raped her.
Our correspondent recalls that the convict was sometime in 2024 charged with the offence bordering on conspiracy punishable under Sections 97(2) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, and Rape contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Right Law of Kogi State.
Handling down the judgement on Wednesday,Justice Hauwa Yusuf, said after she carefully evaluated the pieces of evidence presented before the court, she was convinced that the prosecution has its case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Mustapha to life imprisonment.
Justice Yusuf , however,discharged and acquitted the convict criminal conspiracy, saying that there was no evidence to show the role that was played by an accomplice whom the prosecution alleged was at large.
Responding to the judgment, the Prosecuting Counsel, Kunle Tolufase, a Principal Legal Officer with the Kogi State Ministry of Justice, thanked the court for the well-researched judgment,noting that the judgment would serve as deterrence to others.
Tolufase expressed optimism that the judgment would serve as a strong warning to people who indulge in rape and other related sexual offences.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
