By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Chief Magistrate Shu' aibu Ahmad of the Magistrate Court sitting in Sokoto, on Tuesday, sentenced
Aminu Hayatau Tafida, son of the Special Adviser on Social Investments to governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and two others to a four years and six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N400,000 each.
This includes compensation for alleged circulation of an 18 seconds nude video, criminal conspiracy, abetment, sales and printing of obscene book.
Those sentenced along the Special Adviser's son include, Umar Abubakar and Masaud Abubakar Gidado.
Delivering his judgment in the case which has suffered several adjournment, Magistrate Shu'aibu said the prosecuting counsel has proven his case beyond any reasonable doubts and as such the three accused persons are therefore convicted for the very offenses put forward before them.
While siting Section 209 ACJN of Sokoto 2019, Shu'aibu however gave opportunity to Counsels to the defendants to make any other submission before reading his sentences.
On the strength of that, Counsels to all the defendants separately but unanimously said they did not intent to call any other witness. They however pleaded that justice should be tempered with mercy on grounds that all the defendants are youths who have future before them and first time offenders, hence the need to consider option of fine as well.
"We are appealing to this honorable Court to show leniency in its sentence, more so that they have all shown remorsefulness over their actions. We are therefore appealing that other options should also be considered as sentencing convicts is no longer a fashion this time around.
"And if in the case this Court so wish to sentence them, the Court should be liberal, taking into cognizance, the economic hardship being faced this time around. Your worship sir, we so appeale".
In his sentence, the Presiding Magistrate, Shuaibu Ahmad, said he has taken into consideration that the defendants are first time offenders, and will therefore be lenient but gives maximum sentence.
Magistrate Shu'aibu said, for the offences of indecent act which goes contrary to Section 171 of Sokoto State Penal Code, the defendants are sentenced to pay a fine of two hundred thousand naira (200,000) each which default will lead to 2 years imprisonment.
He said for the offence of sharing and sale of obscene book, the defendants are sentenced to pay 50,000 each for which defiant will lead to 2 years imprisonment.
The Presiding Magistrate, Shu'aibu further said for the offence of abatement, Section 48 of the Sokoto Penal Code provides 50,000 naira or conviction for 6 months in the case of defiant.
Shu'aibu also said each of the defendants is to pay one hundred thousand naira (100,000) compensation to the complainant.
Reacting to the development, both the prosecutor, ASP Simon Sule, and the complainant, said they are satisfied with the judgement, hence according to them, the pronouncements will serve as a deterrent to others. NNL.
