By Ramatu Garba

A 78-year -old Kano farmer identified as Dan’azumi Muhammad has been sentenced to five years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to one-count charge bordering on attempt to sexually abuse a seven-year-old girl.

Muhammad, who lives in Kumurya Village, Bunkure Local Government Area of the state was arraigned on a one-count one-count charge of procurement and attempted sexual exploitation before Federal High Court sitting in Kano.

Mr Hassan Nuruddeen, the prosecution counsel, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Command, said the defendant committed the offence at Kumurya Village, Bunkure Local government area of Kano state, on July 18.

Nuruddeen said that on the same date the defendant accosted minor on her way to school at about 8:am and dragged her into a local Silo at Kumurya, close to his house.

The prosecution presented the confessional statement of the convict and the victim’s testimony to the court to prove his case.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 29 and punishable under section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.

Muhammad was convicted on the one-count charge after he pleaded guilty.

The defence counsel, Mr M B Isah, however pleaded for leniency on behalf of the convict, as a first-time offender.

Delivering judgment Justice S M Shuaibu, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“I hereby sentence the convict to five years imprisonment without option of fine.

This will serve as a deterrent to others as cases like this are becoming prevalent,” he said.

Source; PM News