Fri. Dec 6th, 2024
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Son of Aminu Tafida, the Special Adviser on Social Investments to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and two others have been sentenced to four years and six-month imprisonment.

He was sentenced alongside Aminu  Abubakar and Masaud Gidado.

The three of them were handed an option of N400,000 fine each, including compensation for alleged circulation of an 18-second nude video, in a case that has suffered several adjournments.

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Shu’aibu Ahmad of the Magistrate Court sitting in Sokoto, said the prosecuting counsel had proved his case beyond any reasonable doubts and as such, the three accused persons were convicted for the very offenses put forward before them.

While citing Section 209 ACJN of Sokoto 2019, Shu’aibu, however, gave opportunity to counsels to the defendants to make any other submission before reading his sentences.

On the strength of that, counsels to all the defendants separately but unanimously said they did not intend to call any other witness. They, however, pleaded that justice should be tempered with mercy on grounds that all the defendants were youths who had the future before them and first-time offenders; hence the need to consider option of fine as well.

“We are appealing to this honorable 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.

“If in case this court so wish to sentence them, the court should be liberal taking into cognisance the economic hardship being faced this time around, we so appeal,” they stated.

In his sentence, the presiding magistrate, Shuaibu Ahmad, said he had taken into consideration the fact that the defendants were first-time offenders, and that he will therefore be lenient but give maximum sentence.

Shu’aibu said, for the offences of indecent act which goes contrary to Section 171 of Sokoto State Penal Code, the defendants are sentenced to pay a fine of N200,000 each, whose default will lead to two-year imprisonment.

He said for the offence of sharing and sale of obscene book, the defendants are sentenced to pay 50,000 each,  whose default will lead to two- year imprisonment.

Shu’aibu further said that, for the offence of abatement, Section 48 of the Sokoto Penal Code provides N50,000 naira or conviction for six months in the case of default.

Shu’aibu also said that each of the defendants is to pay N100,000 compensation to the complainant.

Reacting to the development, both the prosecutor, ASP Simon Sule; and the complainant said they were satisfied with the judgment, and, according to them, the pronouncements will serve as deterrence to others.

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