Kebbi court convicts man for sexual exploitation of minors

In a powerful stride toward justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals, the High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has convicted 48-year-old Kabiru Shekare for sexually exploiting minors.

The landmark judgment, delivered on April 24, 2025, by Justice Shamsudeen Ja’afar, underscores the judiciary’s growing commitment to tackling gender-based violence and holding offenders accountable.

Shekare, a resident of the Maƙerar Gandu area in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, was found guilty on a five-count charge of sexual exploitation. The case was prosecuted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as amended), marking a critical enforcement of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking laws.

He was arraigned before High Court 7, a special court designated for handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases. The charges were filed under Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as amended).

The court found the defendant guilty on counts one and two, while he was discharged and acquitted on the remaining three counts. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, with an option of a N1 million fine per count.

Failure to pay the fines will result in an additional one-year imprisonment for each.

The court ordered that the prison terms run concurrently, effective from May 3, 2024, the date of his arrest.

The prosecution, led by Barrister Muhammad Abubakar, presented damning evidence, including a confessional statement by the convict, statements from five 10-year-old victims, all pupils of Atiku Bagudu Science Model Primary School, Makerar Gandu, as well as a medical report from the Sexual Referral Centre at the Kebbi Medical Centre in Kalgo. Also submitted was an official letter from the school management seeking an investigation and prosecution.

In defence, Barrister Hamza Na-Gari argued that Shekare suffered from epilepsy and insanity, presenting a medical report in court.

However, Justice Ja’afar ruled the report inadmissible and proceeded with the conviction.

The case was prosecuted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kebbi State Command.