The Kogi State High Court sitting at Anyigba has convicted one Husseini Mustapha for the offence of rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Convict was sometime in 2024 charged with the offences of conspiracy punishable under Sections 97(2) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, and Rape contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Right Law of Kogi State.
The Convict was said to have committed the offences at Ajakeya, Abocho, Dekina L.G.A., of Kogi State on the 14th day of November 2024.
The victim (name withheld) who is a minor, was said to be in company of her sister, going to a prayer ground when the Convict intercepted them and forcefully took her to a nearby bush where he raped her.
While delivering the judgement of the Court on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025, Justice Hauwa Yusuf, after a careful evaluation of the evidence presented before the court, found the convict guilty of the offence of Rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Court, however, discharged and acquitted the Convict of the offence of criminal Conspiracy on the ground that there was no evidence to show the role that was played by an accomplice whom the Prosecution alleged was at large.
After the judgment, the Prosecuting Counsel, Kunle Tolufase, Esq., a Principal Legal Officer with the Kogi State Ministry of Justice, thanked the Court for the well-researched judgment and noted that the judgment would serve as deterrence to others.
Speaking to one of our Correspondents after the judgment, Kunle Tolufase, Esq. expressed gladness over the outcome of the judgment, and further stated that the judgment would send a warning signal to all those who delight in indulging in rape and other related sexual offences.
Our Correspondent gathered that rape has become prevalent all over in recent times. It was also gathered that just few days ago, a suspect (name withheld as investigation is still ongoing) was arrested by the Police from the same area and taken to SCID Lokoja for forcefully cornering a 13-year old girl into a bush wherein the suspect raped her. It is hoped that the judgment would deter others from engaging in having forceful sexual intercourse with their victims not just in Kogi State but Nigeria at large.
