A Kebbi State High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced Ibrahim Isah, a resident of Rikoto Area in Zuru Local Government who works in Birnin Kebbi, to five years in prison for attempting to rape a young girl identified as Zainab Muhammad.

Presiding Justice Maryam Abubakar Kaoje found Isah guilty of attempting to commit rape, an offence punishable under Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.

Isah was initially charged with two counts of rape and gross indecency under Sections 259 and 261 of the state’s Penal Code Law.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Lawal Hudu Garba and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Ministry of Justice, presented five witnesses and submitted three exhibits, including Isah’s statements in English and Hausa and a medical report on the victim.

The defence, represented by Barrister S.M. DanYaro, called only the defendant to testify.

In her ruling, Justice Kaoje stated that while the confessional statement did not prove rape or gross indecency, it established an attempt to commit the offence. She said, “The facts disclosed in the confessional statement did not prove the offence of rape and act of gross indecency, but rather, it proved the offence of an attempt to commit an offence to wit; rape, contrary to Section 58 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.”

In addition to the five-year jail term, Isah was fined N50,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional year of imprisonment.