Niger Court Remands Islamic Teacher For Child Abuse

A Minna Senior Magistrate Court III has ordered the remand of an Islamic teacher, Nura Suleiman for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old pupil.

The presiding magistrate Hajiya Halima Yusuf gave the order after the suspect pleaded not guilty to the three count charges of maltreating the minor.

Yusuf was arrested by operatives of the Niger State Child Right Agency in Suleja following a tipoff. He allegedly used an electric cable to beat up an Islamic pupil – Isah Muazu – causing him severe bodily injuries. He is accused of hurting the boy without provocation, cruelty to children, and ill treatment of a child.

The prosecutor, inspector Emna Bassa told the court that the Islamic teacher had inflicted similar injuries on another 11-year-old identified as Khalifa Mohammed.

According to the police first information report marked MN/CR/21/2024 made available in court and obtained by our correspondent, the three count charges were punishable under sections 246,238 (a) of the penal code law and section 25 of Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021 as amended.

The defence counsel Bawa Mijinyawa made an oral application for his bail which was objected to by the prosecutor arguing that the case has national interest as the injuries sustained by the pupil had gone viral on social media platforms.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in correctional custody for further mention of the case.

Granting the request, magistrate Yusuf ordered for his remand and adjourned the case till February 19, 2024.