Toyyibat Qasim
Nigeria’s criminal justice system is witnessing fresh developments as three suspects were arrested over the alleged defilement of two minors in Edo State, while two separate cases involving alleged murder and the cutting off of a man’s genitals came up before courts in Kano State.
The cases, reported on Sunday, have drawn attention to allegations of sexual violence against children and violent crimes, with police investigations and court proceedings taking different courses in the two states.
In Edo State, operatives of the state police command arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged sexual assault and defilement of two children aged two years and nine months and four years, respectively.
The state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, disclosed that the cases were being handled by the command’s Gender and Family Unit.
He said the suspects would soon be charged in court.
One of the suspects, identified as Destiny Samson, a bricklayer accused of defiling a four-year-old girl, denied having sexual intercourse with the child but admitted to digitally penetrating her.
“I didn’t know what came over me. I didn’t sleep with her; I only fingered her,” he said during an interview.
Samson said the incident came to light when the girl’s mother returned home and raised an alarm, attracting the attention of people in the neighbourhood.
He claimed that he pleaded with the mother for forgiveness but was subsequently arrested by the police.
The suspect also appealed for forgiveness, saying he had learnt his lesson.
The police did not disclose further details about the identities of the other suspects or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault of the younger child.
Meanwhile, in Kano State, the High Court has commenced proceedings in two separate cases involving allegations of murder and grievous bodily harm.
In the first case, the Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Faruk Lawan, began hearing the trial of Abdullahi Sulaiman, popularly known as Babangida, who is accused of killing and dismembering his friend, Muhammad Salisu Jadalla.
The prosecution, led by Barristers Salisu Tahir and Basiru Kabir, presented a murder charge against the defendant under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Sulaiman pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution subsequently sought the court’s permission to call witnesses, a request granted by the judge.
The head of the neighbourhood patrol team in Sheka Sabuwar Abuja and the ward head, Usman Umar Zakari, testified during the proceedings.
The defence counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Muktar, cross-examined the witnesses.
According to the allegations, Jadalla had approached the defendant for prayers to achieve financial prosperity. The defendant allegedly requested money from him, which Jadalla reportedly brought later that evening.
The deceased was also said to have requested to spend the night at the defendant’s residence, where the alleged killing occurred.
The court adjourned the case until November 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
In another case before the Kano State High Court No. 1, a woman, Maimuna Idris, is standing trial over allegations that she cut off the genitals of her boyfriend, Ashiru Sani.
During the hearing at the Audu Bako Secretariat court complex, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, called Sani to testify as a witness.
Sani told the court that the defendant allegedly gave him a drug identified as Diazepam, which he claimed caused him to lose consciousness before the incident.
The defendant had earlier pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
After hearing the witness’s testimony, the court discharged him and adjourned the case until November 19, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
The three cases remain at different stages of investigation and prosecution. While the Edo suspects are expected to face charges, the two Kano cases are before the courts, where the allegations will be determined through judicial proceedings.
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