Kogi Court Sentences Man to Life Imprisonment for Defiling Minor

The Kogi State High Court sitting at Anyigba has sentenced one Husseini Mustapha to life imprisonment for r@ping a minor.

The convict was arraigned in 2024 on charges of conspiracy and r@pe, contrary to Sections 97(2) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, and R@pe contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Right Law of Kogi State.

The convict 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 r@ped 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 r@pe 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 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 r@pe and other related s€xual offences.