A Magistrate Court sitting in Sokoto has sentenced Aminu Hayatau Tafida, a son of the Special Adviser on Social Investments to Sokoto State governor and two others to jail for circulating an 18-second nude video.
Chief Magistrate Shu’aibu Ahmad sentenced the trio to four years and six months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N400,000 each including compensation.
The son of the governor’s aide, Umar Abubakar and Masaud Abubakar Gidado were arraigned before the court for circulating the nude video, criminal conspiracy, abetment, sales and printing of an obscene book.
Delivering his judgment in the case, Magistrate Shu’aibu said the prosecuting counsel proved the case beyond any reasonable doubts and as such the three accused persons are convicted for the very offences put forward before them.
While citing Section 209 ACJN of Sokoto 2019, Shu’aibu however gave an opportunity to counsels of the defendants to make any other submission before reading his sentences.
On the strength of that, counsels to all the defendants separately but unanimously pleaded that justice be tempered with mercy on grounds that all the defendants are youths who have a future before them and are first time offenders, hence the need to consider the option of fine as well.
“We are appealing to this Honourable Court to show leniency in its sentence, more so that they have all shown remorsefulness over their actions. We are therefore appealing that other options should also be considered as sentencing convicts is no longer a fashion this time around. And if in the case this court so wishes to sentence them, the court should be liberal taking into cognisance, the economic hardships being faced this time around,” one of the counsels said.
In his sentence, Shuaibu said he has taken into consideration that the defendants are first time offenders, he will therefore be lenient but will give maximum sentence.
The magistrate said, “for the offences of the indecent act which goes contrary to Section 171 of Sokoto State Penal Code the defendants are sentenced to pay a fine of two hundred thousand naira (200,000) each which if defaulted will lead to two years imprisonment.”
He said for the “offence of sharing and sales of an obscene book, the defendants are sentenced to pay 50,000 each for which defiant will lead to two years imprisonment.”
He further said for the offence of abatement, Section 48 of the Sokoto Penal Code provides 50,000 naira or conviction for six months in the case of defiance.
Shu’aibu also said each of the defendants is to pay a hundred thousand naira (100,000) compensation to the complainant.
Reacting to the development, both the prosecutor, ASP Simon Sule and the complainant, said they are satisfied with the judgement, which according to them, will serve as deterrents to others.
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