By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbl
A 19-year-old teenager, Ahmad Aminu, of Baiti Area in Birnin Kebbi metropolis, has been arraigned before a Kebbi State High Court on two-count charges of defilement of a child and act of gross indecency. The alleged offences, contrary to sections 210 and 261 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law 2011, were committed in January 2024.
At the hearing, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Anisa Abubakar Udu, sought leave of court to have the charges read to the defendant. After the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, the prosecution counsel made an oral application for a short adjournment to facilitate the presentation of six witnesses to prove the case.
However, the defense counsel, Barrister Muhammad Yusuf, raised concerns about the defendant's age, citing section 275 (2) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kebbi State 2021. Yusuf argued that the defendant, currently in JSS1, cannot be 19 years old, as claimed by the prosecution. " He urge the Court to consider him a juvenile or infant, alternatively he pray the court to release him on bail?" Yusuf asked.
After hearing both parties, Hon. Justice Maryam Abubakar Kaoje adjourned the matter to February 17, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
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Justice