The presiding judge, Justice J. K. Omotosho, said that the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the convict carried out the act and convicted him without an option of fine.
Salisu Abdullahi was arraigned on charges that has root in illicit sexual intercourse with an eight-year-old girl (names withheld). National Agency for the Prohibition in Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, had arraigned the convict on a one-count charge, stating that the convict acted in a manner that contravened the provision of Section 16 of NAPTIP Enforcement and Administration Act, the court heard.
However, counsel to the convict, Mr. Jamilu Ahmed, urged the court to tamper justice with mercy in view of the fact that his client was a first offender. Ahmed told the court that the convict is married with children, adding that he has an aged mother, who all depend on him for livelihood, noting that Salisu is remorseful and “has been in custody for close to one year.”
Delivering his judgement, Justice J. K. Omotsho resented the unrepentant attitude of the convict, while the trial lasted. He ordered Salisu to proceed to serve 14 years in jail without an option of fine and also ordered the convict to pay N2 million fine.
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