Kaduna court sentences 3 men to death for rape

A Kaduna State High Court has sentenced three men—John Moses, Yakubu Mohammed, and Mustapha Musa—to death by hanging after finding them guilty of a two-count charge of rape.

The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, was announced by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu.

She emphasized that the convictions reflect the state government’s commitment to enforcing strict penalties for sexual violence and ensuring justice for victims.

According to the commissioner, the ministry has successfully secured three rape convictions between June 2024 and February 2025, reinforcing the government’s stance on protecting victims and ensuring justice.

She described the convictions as a good development and hoped it would serve as a deterrent to others.

She said,

“The ministry secured a conviction on the 7th day of June 2024 before Hon. Justice Nana in KDH/KAD/57c/2023; State Vs. John Moses wherein the Defendant was convicted in a two counts charge of rape and incest under Section 258 1 of the Penal Code Law 2017 as amended and sentenced to death by hanging and surgical castration.

“The ministry also secured a conviction on the 6th day of February 2025 before Hon. Justice B.Yusuf in KDH/KAD/69c/2023; State Vs. Yakubu Mohammed, wherein the Defendant was convicted on a 2 counts charge of Rape under Section 258 1 of the Penal Code Law 2017 as amended and sentenced to death by hanging and surgical castration.

“The ministry again secured another conviction on the 24th day of February 2025 before Hon. Justice Isa Aliyu in KDH/KAD/66c/2021; State Vs. Mustapha Musa, wherein the Defendant was convicted on a 2 counts charge of Rape under Section 258 of the Penal Code Law and sentenced to life imprisonment.”

She said the cases were handled by M.P. Danjuma Esq. and Halimatu S. Bello Esq.