A Magistrate’s Court in Damaturu, Yobe State, has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Rabilu Sani, to 12 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl in Jakusko Local Government Area.
The trial magistrate, Ahmed Mohammed Bahuya, delivered the judgment after ruling that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the evidence against the defendant as compelling.
The court ordered that the sentence be served without an option of fine.
At the hearing, court officials also moved to dispel widespread rumours regarding the convict’s health status, confirming that medical tests showed he is not living with HIV.
The clarification followed earlier speculation that had raised concerns about the wellbeing of the minor involved in the case.
The prosecution of the matter was backed by the Yobe State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, led by Hajiya Ya Jalo Badamra, who reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of abuse and safeguarding children.
Officials said the incident occurred on November 9, 2025, when the suspect reportedly lured the child and carried out the assault.
Medical findings presented before the court indicated that the victim sustained injuries and received necessary treatment.