Magistrate Court in Niger remands 55-year Homosexuality accused in Prison Custody

Olabode Adaramola

A Magistrate  Court in Minna, Niger  State  on Wednesday ordered the remand in prison custody of a 55-year old Cobbler, Tahiru Abdullahi, for homosexuality.

The accused was arraigned in court on a count charge of un-natural offence, contrary to section 284 of the penal code law.

The Police Prosecutor, Police Inspector  Muazu Abdullahi, had told the court that one Abubakar Mohammed of Galadima area in Kontagora Local Government of the state had  reported the matter at the station on August 6, this year.

Abdullahi stated that the complainant alleged that the accused lured his 7-year old son into his house and had sexual intercourse with the boy through his anus on two separate occasions.

He said the accused confessed to committing the crime during police investigation.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

However, the presiding magistrate, Mariam Kings declined to take his plea on the grounds that her court lacked jurisdiction to try the case.

She averred  that the offence could only be heard by a higher court, just as she  ordered the police to forward the case file to the State Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) for legal advice.

She thereby adjourned the case to Sept. 7, 2017  for further mention.