Justice Amina Modi Yabo of Sokoto State High Court has sentenced a 19-year-old Yasir Muhammad to 21 years imprisonment for raping a 4-year-old girl.
Delivering the judgement, Modi Yabo said the prosecution had successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
The judge said the mere convict’s denial had no substance as witnesses corroborated that on May 16, 2025, the victim was going to school when the convict called her and removed her pants and inserted his penis into her private part.
She said this testimony was so direct and leaves no stone unturned as to the commission of the offense changed.
The trial judge said the Defense team were unable to disprove the evidences led by the prosecution that included six witnesses and exhibits tendered which have proved having carnal knowledge of the girl.
According to her, Supreme Court has settled issues of sexual intercourse, for the purpose of rape, incomplete penetration, consent and medical requirements on proving rape case.
The judge added that Supreme Court has repeatedly held that evidence of bleeding, genital injury, or torn tissue observed shortly after an alleged rape strongly corroborates proof of sexual intercourse.
She highlighted that in the present case, the prosecutrix is a minor child living under the care and protection of her parents, so there is no scintilla of evidence, direct or circumstantial, suggesting the existence of any lawful marriage such claim were mere hypothetically raised,
” The law does not demand anatomical devastation; it requires proof of intrusion. This position has been consistently affirmed by appellate courts and has hardened into settled law.
” Court has considered the dual objectives of sentencing: the protection of society and the rehabilitation of the offender, particularly in light of Muhammad’s youth, being a 19 years of age.
” Court also considered the allocutus of the convict through his counsel, this Court, in passing sentence, has carefully weighed the nature and gravity of the offence, the age of the offender, the relevant statutory provisions, and the need to balance justice with the offender’s prospects for rehabilitation, ” The Judge said.
She said the convict had been found guilty of an offence that is grievous and profoundly reprehensible, constituting a serious violation of the bodily integrity, dignity, and innocence of a minor.
She noted that under the section 260 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019, rape is punishable with life imprisonment or a term not less than 21 years.
Justice Modi Yabo sentenced Muhammad to 21 years imprisonment to serve as deterrent, protects the public, and simultaneously affords the offender an opportunity for reform
About The Author
