Jigawa: Court jails rapist for life, awards N1m damages to victim

The Jigawa State High Court Number Six (6) sitting in Birnin Kudu has sentenced one Bashir A. Umar to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl in the Galamawa area of Dutse Municipal.

Delivering the judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Musa Ubale, said the defendant was found guilty of the charges beyond reasonable doubt for both counts of rape and causing grievous bodily harm.

Justice Musa Ubale added that, having found the accused guilty, the court convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment and seven years, respectively; he was also ordered to pay compensation of one million Naira to the victim.

The court further ordered and directed the Ministry of Justice to ensure that his name is entered into the Naming and Shaming Register of Sexual Offenders of the state.

Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, commended the judiciary following the conviction and sentencing of one Bashir A. Umar to life imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old girl.

In a press statement he personally signed and made available to Tribune Online in Dutse, the commissioner described the judgement delivered by Justice Musa Ubale of High Court No. 6, sitting in Birnin Kudu, as a victory for justice and the rule of law.

Fanini disclosed that the court found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on charges of rape and causing grievous bodily harm.

According to him, “On April 8, 2026, I appeared before High Court No. 6 sitting in Birnin Kudu to receive judgement in the case between the State and Bashir A. Umar, who was charged with the rape of a nine-year-old girl, Khadija Isah, from Galamawa area in Dutse.”

He noted that the court sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for rape and seven years for causing grievous bodily harm, in addition to ordering him to pay N1 million as compensation to the victim.

The commissioner further revealed that the court directed the Ministry of Justice to ensure the convict’s name is entered into the state’s Sex Offenders Register under the naming and shaming policy.

Fanini explained that the case came to light in early 2025, prompting swift action by the Jigawa State Government under Governor Umar Namadi.

“While the culprit was promptly charged to court, the victim, who suffered severe physical and psychological trauma, was provided with medical treatment and rehabilitation by the government,” he said.

He added that the state, in collaboration with the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the First Lady of Jigawa State, Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi, facilitated the relocation of the victim’s family to a furnished three-bedroom house in Dutse.

The Attorney-General reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives, dignity, and property of citizens, stressing that the administration remains guided by the law and international best practices under its 12-point agenda.