Kano court jails 67y.o Lebanese 14 years for sexually exploiting teenage girls

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has, on October 10, 2024, sentenced a 67-year-old Lebanese man, Mr. Zuhier. R. Akar, to 14 years in prison for sexually exploiting two teenage girls in Kano.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Kano State charged Akar with two counts of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Video of the act was posted and seen on social media by one Mr. Babale after the incident happened at night.

Justice M. A. Shu’aibu said he found the prosecution’s evidence to be beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Shu’aibu, therefore, sentenced the defendant to 14 years in prison without an option of fine in the law court.

The judge also imposed an additional of NGN2,000,000 fine on the convict.

The prosecution said that the Department of Security Services (DSS) reported the matter to NAPTIP on September 5, 2024.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Akar reportedly committed the offense on September 4 at his home.

The act took place around 10:30 PM at his house situated at Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, in Kano.

The defendant lured the 14 and 15-year-old girls to his room and sexually exploited them, stated the charges.

The man committed sexual misconduct, Mr. Babale the man that posted the video said.

An investigation was commenced by DSS operatives immediately after watching the video online.

The prosecution presented evidence including the defendant’s confession and the victims’ testimony.

Akar pleaded guilty to the crime, while the defence counsel pleaded for leniency.

Akar, however, was sentenced under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act to 14 years in prison.

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