A High Court sitting in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, has sentenced a man, Bashir A. Umar, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl in Dutse.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Musa Ubale of High Court No. 6, who ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on charges of rape and causing grievous bodily harm.
In addition to the life sentence, the court handed Umar a seven-year jail term for grievous bodily harm and ordered him to pay ₦1 million in compensation to the victim.
Justice Ubale also directed the Ministry of Justice to include the convict’s name in the state’s Naming and Shaming Register of sexual offenders, in line with Jigawa State’s anti-sexual violence policy.
The case has been widely described as a strong signal of the judiciary’s commitment to tackling sexual and gender-based violence.
Reacting to the ruling, the Jigawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello AbdulKadir Fanini, described the judgment as a victory for justice and the rule of law.
According to Fanini, the case began in early 2025, when the incident was reported, prompting swift intervention by the state government under Governor Umar Namadi.
He noted that the victim, who suffered severe physical and psychological trauma, received medical care and rehabilitation supported by the state government.
Fanini also revealed that efforts were made, in collaboration with the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, and the First Lady of Jigawa State, to provide a safer living arrangement for the victim’s family, including relocation to a furnished three-bedroom house in Dutse.
The commissioner commended the judiciary for delivering what he described as a firm and just verdict, stressing that the conviction reinforces the state’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence.
He added that the government remains committed to protecting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice, regardless of status.
The ruling has been welcomed by stakeholders as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for continued efforts to safeguard children and uphold the law.