By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, May 5, 2026 (Series News Online) - A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced one Abduljalal Umar to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of an unnatural offence involving a 13-year-old.
The judgment was delivered on Monday, May 5, 2026, by Honourable Justice Shamsudeen Jafar of High Court 8, Birnin Kebbi.
The defendant, Abduljalal Umar of Yar Korau village, Dirin Daji, Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, was arraigned on October 13, 2025, on a one-count charge of an unnatural offence punishable under Section 260 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
According to the charge, the defendant committed the offence in October 2024 at his shop in Yar Korau village, Dirin Daji, Sakaba Local Government Area.
In proving its case, the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered several exhibits before the court. The exhibits included a medical report, the defendant’s statements recorded in both English and Hausa, and a set of jerseys. The prosecution subsequently closed its case.
The defence, led by Barrister O. Akiode, opened and closed its case without calling additional witnesses.
Delivering judgment, Honourable Justice Shamsudeen Jafar stated that the court had carefully evaluated the evidence adduced before it.
“The evidence of the prosecution has proved the ingredients of the unnatural offence under Section 260 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021. The court therefore holds in favour of the prosecution against the defendant,” Justice Jafar held.
The court further considered whether the defence raised any issue that could avail the defendant.
“Having weighed the defence of the defendant, this court finds that it carries no weight that can prevent him from being convicted,” the judge stated. “The court finds Abduljalal Umar of Yar Korau village, Dirin Daji, Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, culpable of committing an unnatural offence against one Suleiman Umar, a 13-year-old.”
Pronouncing the conviction, Justice Jafar said, “You, Abduljalal Umar, are hereby convicted as charged.”
Following the conviction, defence counsel Barrister O. Akiode, for whom Barrister Aminu Hassan, Esq., held brief, entered a plea in allocution.
“We draw the attention of the court to the fact that the defendant is a first-time offender,” Barrister Hassan submitted. “Considering his age and that he has many dependants whom he maintains, we urge the court to temper justice with mercy in passing sentence on the convict.”
Responding, prosecution counsel Barrister Buhari Muhammad conceded that the records showed the defendant was a first-time offender.
“However, I urge the court to sentence the convict in accordance with Section 260 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021, so that it will serve as a deterrent to him and to others,” Barrister Muhammad submitted.
In passing sentence, Justice Jafar held that the court was bound by the provisions of the law.
“The convict is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge declared. “This is the law, and a court of law cannot go contrary to law.”
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Court Judgement