Kano Court Jails Man 20 Years For Raping 85-year-old Woman

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 32-year-old man, Muhammad Zulfalalu, popularly known as “Mai Siket”, to 20 years’ imprisonment for raping an 85-year-old woman.

Zulfalalu, a resident of Gidan Kwano, Kwanar Dangora in Kiru Local Government Area of the state, was convicted on a nine-count charge bordering on rape and housebreaking.

Delivering judgment, Justice Aisha Mahmoud held that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court sentenced the convict to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape and six years for housebreaking, with both sentences to run concurrently. The judge also awarded N500,000 compensation to the victim.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Aisha Adamu, told the court that Zulfalalu committed the offences between August 2019 and June 2020 at Gidan Kwano, Kiru LGA.

She said the convict unlawfully gained access to the victim’s residence at night and raped her.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the defendant, popularly known as “Mai Siket”, was allegedly involved in a pattern of breaking into houses at night before his arrest.

She presented six witnesses to support the prosecution’s case, noting that the offences contravened Sections 283 and 356 of the Penal Code.

Reacting to the judgment, Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude (SAN), described the conviction as a milestone in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in the state.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr Abubakar Ibrahim, the Attorney-General said the verdict would boost public confidence in the justice system and reinforce the protection of vulnerable persons.

He commended the prosecution team for its commitment and professionalism in securing the conviction.

Maude reiterated the state government’s commitment, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, to strengthening justice delivery, promoting accountability, and ensuring that perpetrators of criminal offences face the full weight of the law.

He warned that sexual and gender-based violence remained a serious threat to society, stressing that the government would continue to support measures aimed at protecting citizens and upholding human dignity.