By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News
The Kogi State High Court sitting in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area, has convicted one Husseini Mustapha for r*ping a minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the presiding judge, Justice Hauwa Yusuf, found Mustapha guilty of violating the victim at Ajakeya, Abocho community, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on November 14, 2024, when the minor (name withheld) was on her way to a prayer ground with her sister. Mustapha allegedly intercepted the two girls, dragged one of them into a nearby bush, and r*ped her.
The convict was charged with conspiracy under Section 97(2) of the Kogi State Penal Code (2019) and rape under Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law of Kogi State.
Justice Yusuf, after reviewing the evidence, held that the prosecution proved the charge of r*pe beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
However, the court discharged and acquitted Mustapha of the count of criminal conspiracy due to insufficient evidence linking an alleged accomplice who remains at large.
Reacting to the verdict, the prosecuting counsel and Principal Legal Officer with the Kogi State Ministry of Justice, Kunle Tolufase (Esq.), expressed satisfaction with the ruling, describing it as a “well-researched judgment” that would deter others from committing sexual offences.
Tolufase commended the judiciary for its consistency in delivering justice and urged residents to continue reporting gender-based violence cases promptly to law enforcement agencies.
