Four men receive 95‑year prison sentences for rape in Niger

By Wole Mosadomi

Minna — The Minna Senior Magistrate Court No. 4 sentenced four men to a combined 95 years in prison after finding them guilty of gang‑raping and impregnating a 13‑year‑old girl.

The defendants are Salisu Shehu Baura, Lawali Shaibu, Haruna Musa Saidu and Bello, all residents of Kontagora town in Niger State.

Bello, who was sentenced in absentia, remains at large after being granted bail.

The men were arrested by officers of the Kontagora Divisional Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and transferred to the state command headquarters for prosecution.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented in court and obtained by journalists, the defendants were charged with joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child. These offences are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law and Section 26(1) of the Child Rights Law of Niger State, 2023.

The FIR alleged that the men took turns raping the underage girl under threat and later paid her N 1,400.

During the trial, the prosecutor called three witnesses, including the victim, her father and the investigating Civil Defence officer. Five exhibits were submitted.

Evidence included video‑recorded statements of the defendants, their written statements, the victim’s statement, a medical report confirming penetration, and a voice recording of the defendants.

Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau, who delivered the judgment, described the defendants’ conduct as “animalistic and heartless.”

She recalled that in 2023 the same defendants were arraigned by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC for gang‑raping a 13‑year‑old girl in Kontagora.

Defence counsel Mohammed Jibrin Lemu urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the defendants had shown remorse throughout the trial.

In her judgment, Christy Umar Barau said: “Although the defendants showed remorse during the trial, that does not mean they should go unpunished. The offence of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child is serious, especially as rape incidents are on the rise. The defendants’ act is animalistic, inhuman and heartless. The court will not be fair to the victim if appropriate punishment is not imposed to deter others.”

She sentenced the first, second and third defendants to 20 years in correctional custody for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and five years for the offence of joint act. The fourth defendant, now at large, was ordered to serve 20 years for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.

The state government described the judgment as a major breakthrough in its fight against rape, child abuse and other forms of sexual violence.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Services Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta said: “It is a victory for justice and a strong warning to perpetrators of sexual offences.”