Two suspects; Faruq Malami and Aminu Abubakar, have been remanded after they were charged to a Magistrate’s Court in Birnin Kebbi presided over by Atiku Abubakar — for allegedly raping and impregnating underage girls in Gwandu and Ambursa towns of the state.
During the hearing, the Prosecution counsel, Inspector Muhammad Kamba told the court that four months ago, the first defendant, Faruq Malami (alias Maibudare), a resident of Dalijan village in Gwandu LGA, allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl, Fatima Abubakar.
According to Kamba, the accused had confiscated the young girl’s phone and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the assault which resulted to a now four months pregnancy.
Malami was charged on three counts bordering on rape, criminal intimidation, and assault which contravened the Sections 241, 259, 378, and 138 of the Kebbi State Penal Code.
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On the other hand, the prosecution counsel charged the second defendant, Aminu Abubakar who resides in Sabon Birnin, Ambursa, of raping eight-year-old Aminat Abubakar, on June 28.
According to the prosecutor’s report, the victim had been dragged into an uncompleted building where the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted her, and inflicted injuries on her private parts.
Therefore, Abubakar is facing four count charges bordering on defilement, gross indecency, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt which violates Sections 261, 241, 222, and 210 of the Kebbi State Penal Code.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Then, the prosecutor had told the court that the Magistrate lacked jurisdiction to hear the cases as the police were not done with investigations.
He therefore, requested an adjournment until July 16.
He further explained that the police were still awaiting directives from the Ministry of Justice for proper arraignment before a competent court just as he asked the court to remand the suspects until the adjourned date.
Magistrate Abubakar granted the prosecutor’s request and ordered the custodial remand of the defendants in until July 16 when the matter will be revisited based on legal advice from the Ministry.
