- To pay N2m additional fine
A federal high court sitting in Kano has sentenced Zuhier R. Akar, a Lebanese national, to 14 years imprisonment for the offence of trafficking and procuring two minors whom he sexually exploited.
The convict was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on two count charge of human trafficking and sexual exploitation punishable under Section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons Act 2015.
The Lebanese, 67, lives at Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Fagge Local Government Area and the victims he took to the same address were 14 and 15 years old, according to court papers in suit FHC/KN/CR/224/2024.
Justice S. M. Shu’aibu sentenced Akar to 14 years imprisonment without the option of fine as well as payment of additional fine of N2 million for the two offences.
Counsel for NAPTIP, Babale Shuaibu, commended the judgement saying it would serve as deterrent to others who derive pleasure in sexual exploitation of minors.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel and Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, informed the court that the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Kano Command, reported the matter to the agency on Sept. 5, 2024 that the defendant committed the offence on Sept. 4, at about 10:30pm at his house situated at Gidan Wanka, Unity Road Kano.
“The defendant procured the 14 and 15 year old girls at the Civic Centre Road near Suya Spot, took them to his house and sexually exploited them.
“A video of the defendant having sexual misconduct with the victims was posted on social media,” Babale said.
The prosecution presented four exhibits including the confessional statement of the defendant and the victims testimony to the court to prove its case while the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
