By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State High Court 7, a special court for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, has convicted Kabiru Shekare, a 48-year-old man, of sexual exploitation. The convict, who hails from Maƙerar Gandu Area, Birnin-Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on sexual exploitation contrary to Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015 (as amended).
In a judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Shamsudeen Ja'afar on April 24, 2025, the court found the defendant guilty on counts 1 and 2, while discharging and acquitting him on counts 3, 4, and 5. The defendant was sentenced to serve 7 years imprisonment for each of the two counts, with a fine of N1 million, and in default of the fine, to add 1 year imprisonment. The sentence is to run concurrently and to start from the date of arrest, May 3, 2024.
The prosecution team, led by Barrister Muhammad Abubakar, tendered several pieces of evidence, including the confessional statement of the defendant, statements from five victims, each 10 years old, who are students of Atiku Bagudu science model primary school Makerar Gandu, a medical report from the Sexual Referral Centre at Kebbi Medical Centre Kalgo, and an official letter from the school management requesting investigation and possible prosecution.
The defense counsel, Barrister Hamza Na-Gari, entered a defense of epilepsy and insanity sickness for the defendant, presenting a medical report to that effect before the court. However, the court found the medical report inadmissible and convicted the defendant.
The case was filed before High Court 7, a special court for GBV cases, presided over by Honourable Justice Shamsudeen Ja'afar. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Kebbi State Command secured the conviction.