In a significant ruling by the High Court of Justice in Delta State, Nigeria, Honourable Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro presided over the conviction and life imprisonment of Idris Hassan, a 35-year-old man found guilty of raping an 8-year-old girl.
Idris Hassan faced a one-count charge of rape under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Vol. 1 Laws of the Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
The incident occurred on August 22, 2022, when the defendant allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor.
During the trial, Hassan pleaded not guilty to the charge, leading to a case where the prosecution, led by Mrs. Patricia Uche Akamagwuna, presented six witnesses and the defendant's confessional statement.
The prosecution's case revolved around the survivor's account of being lured by Hassan, who worked as a gateman for their neighbor, with the promise of biscuits.
However, upon reaching Hassan's location, he forced himself on the young girl.
The defendant was caught in the act by the survivor's neighbor, leading to his arrest by the Nigerian Police 'B' Division, Asaba.
In his defense, Hassan denied the charge and retracted his confessional statement, claiming no sexual contact occurred between him and the survivor.
Ultimately, Honourable Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro delivered a verdict in favor of the prosecution, stating that they had successfully proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, Hassan was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Following the ruling, Mrs. P. U. Akamagwuna, Director of Sexual Offences, commended the judges for their well-delivered judgement.
She emphasized the Delta State Ministry of Justice's commitment to upholding a zero-tolerance policy against sexual offenders, promising to continue prosecuting and exposing all sex offenders in the state.
As part of the process, Idris Hassan has been registered in the Delta State Sex Offenders Register and his details uploaded to the national database, aligning with the provisions of the Violence Against Prohibition Persons Laws of Delta State, 2020.
This measure aims to safeguard communities from potential threats and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly minors, from harm.
Comments
Post a Comment