A Magistrate’s Court in Birnin Kebbi has ordered the remand of two suspects accused of raping and impregnating underage girls in Gwandu and Ambursa towns.

Presiding Magistrate, Atiku Abubakar issued the remand order after hearing the charges against the defendants, who pleaded not guilty.

The case has reignited calls for the federal government to expedite minor cases and decongest overcrowded prisons.

Prosecutor, Inspector Muhammad Kamba told the court that the first defendant, Faruq Malami (alias Maibudare), a resident of Dalijan village in Gwandu LGA, allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl, Fatima Abubakar, four months ago. The accused reportedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the assault and confiscated her phone. The victim is now four months pregnant.

The charges against Malami include rape, criminal intimidation, and assault under Sections 241, 259, 378, and 138 of the Kebbi State Penal Code.

In a separate case, the second defendant, Aminu Abubakar of Sabon Birnin, Ambursa, was accused of raping an eight-year-old girl, Aminat Abubakar, on June 28. The prosecutor stated that the suspect dragged the victim into an uncompleted building, sexually assaulted her, and inflicted injuries on her private parts.

Abubakar faces charges of defilement, gross indecency, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt under Sections 261, 241, 222, and 210 of the Kebbi State Penal Code.

When the charges were read to them in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

During proceedings, the police prosecutor informed the court that the Magistrate lacked jurisdiction to hear the cases and requested an adjournment until July 16. He explained that the Police were still finalizing their investigation and awaiting directives from the Ministry of Justice for proper arraignment before a competent court.

The prosecutor also urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending the adjourned date.

In his ruling, Magistrate Abubakar granted the prosecution’s request, ordering that the defendants be remanded in custody until July 16, when the matter will be revisited based on legal advice from the Ministry.

Court remands two suspects for allegedly raping minors in Kebbi