LEBANESE MAN BAGS 14-YEAR JAIL TERM FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITATION OF TWO UNDERAGE FEMALES
On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Kano sentenced Zuhier R. Akar, a 67-year-old Lebanese, to 14 years in prison for sexually exploiting two adolescent females.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Kano Command, charged Akar of Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Fagge Local Government Area, Kano, with two counts of trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Justice M. A. Shu’aibu ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the defendant to 14 years in jail without the possibility of a fine.
The judge also sentenced the guilty to pay an additional N2 million fine for the violation.
Earlier, Mr Abdullahi Babale, prosecution counsel and Kano Zonal Commander NAPTIP, told the court that the Department of State Security Service, Kano Command, reported the incident to the agency on September 5, 2024.
Babale stated that the defendant committed the offence on September 4, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m. at his home on Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Kano.
“The defendant approached the 14 and 15-year-old females on Civic Centre Road near Suya Spot, took them to his home, and sexually exploited them.
“A video of the defendant having sexual misconduct with the victims was posted on social media,” Babale commented.
The prosecution provided the court with four exhibits to substantiate its case, including the defendant’s confessional statement and the victim’s testimony.
The defendant admitted guilt to the charge.
He stated that the act violates Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and is penalised under Section 26(1) of the TIP Act 2015.
Mr. R. A. Kasali, Akar’s defence counsel, asked for leniency.