Amos Mathew, Kaduna.
Kaduna State High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Tukur Mua’azu Aliyu has ordered that Haruna Tukur, 24, be remanded in prison custody till the 4th of August, 2016 for defiling a 6-year old girl.
Tukur was arraigned in court for luring the victim (name withheld) into an uncompleted building in Malali, Kaduna North local government area of Kaduna state, on the 5th of February, 2016 and had unlawful sex with her, the director public prosecution of Kaduna State, Dare Bayero told the court.
According to the prosecutor, the accused committed an offence of rape punishable under section 283 law of Kaduna State 1999 which attracts life imprisonment among other punishments.
When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the offence and charges.
Following the plea of not guilty by the accused, the prosecuting counsel sought for an adjournment to present witnesses and relevant documents to proof the case.
On why it took this long to arraign the accused in court, the prosecutor said, cases of abuse of minor is becoming rather too rampant and stressed the need to teach those apprehended a lesson to serve as deterrent to others with such questionable characters and ensure confidence of justice to victims.
In his ruling, the presiding judge told the accused, that he his entitled to a learned counsel for his defence when the case comes up in August.
“You are entitled to seek the services of a lawyer as the court proceedings continues subsequently.
“The case is hereby adjourned till the 4th August, 2016 for hearing, the accused is however to be remanded in prison custody till the said date”, Justice Aliyu ruled.
