A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced one Suleman Jidda, a 30-year-old resident of Bayan Kara Area in Birnin Kebbi Local Government, to life imprisonment for Sodomizing a 10-year-old child.

The convict was arraigned on November 8, 2024, on a one-count charge of unnatural offence, punishable under Section 260 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.

Delivering judgement, Hon. Justice Shamsudeen Jafar said, “I have carefully examined all the evidence before me, and I have found that the prosecution’s evidence is very cogent and corroborative. The prosecution has proved the ingredients required in proving the commission of unnatural offence beyond reasonable doubt.”

The court cited the testimonies of PW1, PW2, PW3, and the medical report, which revealed that the convict had sodomized the child on three separate occasions.

“The defendant, Suleman Jidda, is hereby found guilty of committing the offence of unnatural offence, punishable under Section 260 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021, and is hereby convicted accordingly,” Justice Jafar said.

The defence counsel, Barrister S.M. Dan-Yaro, had pleaded for leniency, citing the convict’s clean record and family background, but the court ruled that it had no discretion in the matter, as the law prescribes life imprisonment for the offence.

“The court has no option than to apply what the law requires. The convict is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” Justice Jafar said.

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kebbi State, Junaidu Bello Marshal, led the prosecution team, while the defence was handled by Barrister S.M. Dan-Yaro.

The court registrar, Nasiru Muhammad Shayi, interpreted the proceedings from English to Hausa language for the defendant’s understanding.