A 32-year-old man known as "Mai Siket" has been handed a 20-year prison sentence by a Kano High Court. Justice Aisha Mahmoud convicted Muhammad Zulfalalu on nine counts of rape and housebreaking after the prosecution proved its case beyond doubt.
Zulfalalu received 20 years for rape and six additional years for breaking into homes. Both sentences will run at the same time, according to court records.
The victim, an 85-year-old woman, will receive N500,000 in compensation from the court. She was attacked in her Gidan Kwano residence between August 2019 and June 2020.
Prosecution counsel Aisha Adamu told the court that Zulfalalu broke into the elderly woman's home at night. He then sexually assaulted her, Adamu explained to Justice Mahmoud.
The defendant had been breaking into homes across Kiru Local Government Area for some time. His nighttime raids finally ended when police arrested him after the assault on the elderly victim.
Six witnesses testified during the trial to support the prosecution's case against him. The offences violated Sections 283 and 356 of the Penal Code, the court heard.
Kano's Attorney-General, Abdulkarim Maude (SAN), hailed the conviction as a major victory. He said it shows the state is serious about stopping sexual and gender-based violence.
In a statement through his media aide Dr Abubakar Ibrahim, Maude noted the judgment would restore public trust in courts. He emphasized the government remains committed to protecting vulnerable citizens from harm.
Maude commended the prosecution team for their hard work on the case. Their professionalism secured this conviction, he added in the statement issued Wednesday.
