The Kogi State High Court sitting at Anyigba in Dekina Local Government has convicted one Husseini Mustapha for raping a minor, sentencing him to life imprisonment.

Justice Hauwa Yusuf, the presiding judge, delivered the judgement on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 in the court.

The convict was said to have committed the offence at Ajakeya, Abocho, Dekina LGA of Kogi State on the 14th day of November 2024.

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He was charged in 2024, with the offences of conspiracy, punishable under Sections 97(2) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, and Rape contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Right Law of Kogi State.

The victim, a minor (name withheld), 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 raped her.

In the judgement, Justice Hauwa Yusuf said after careful evaluation of the evidence presented before the court, she found the convict guilty of the offence of rape, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

However, the court discharged and acquitted the convict of the offence of criminal conspiracy due to lack of evidence to show the role of an accomplice who, according the prosecution, was still at large.

After the judgment, the Prosecuting Counsel and Principal Legal Officer with the Kogi State Ministry of Justice, Kunle Tolufase, Esq., thanked the Court for the well-researched judgment.

Kunle Tolufase, Esq. expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the judgment, stating that it would send a warning signal to all those committing rape and other related sexual offences.