A Kano State High Court has handed a 20-year prison sentence to 32-year-old Muhammad Zulfalalu, also referred to as “Mai Siket,” for the rape of an 85-year-old woman in Kiru Local Government Area. Justice Aisha Mahmoud issued the ruling after determining that the nine-count charge of housebreaking and rape was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Zulfalalu received 20 years for the rape conviction and six years for the housebreaking charge, with the terms to be served concurrently. Furthermore, the court ordered the perpetrator to pay N500,000 in compensation to the victim. Prosecution lawyer Aisha Adamu noted that the criminal activities occurred between August 2019 and June 2020 at Gidan Kwano, Kwanar Dangora. Evidence presented indicated that the convict frequently broke into homes at night before his eventual capture.
State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, hailed the verdict as a crucial step in the local campaign against sexual violence. A statement provided by his media aide, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim, emphasized that the ruling reinforces state efforts to protect vulnerable citizens and ensures faith in the legal process.
