By Ado Oyeyemi
A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced three women to 14 years’ imprisonment each after finding them guilty of aiding armed bandits operating in the state.
The court convicted the women for criminal conspiracy, abetment and belonging to a gang of brigands over allegations that they supplied food, drinks and other items to bandits in Shanga Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment, Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwwa ruled that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt against the second, third and fourth defendants, while clearing the first defendant, Aisha Abubakar, of all charges.
The convicted women, identified as Jamila Sule, Ramatu Habibu and Zara’u Abdulkarim, were found guilty under the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed on December 14, 2023, at Sabon Gari Hills Forest in Shanga Local Government Area, where the defendants allegedly supplied armed bandits with foodstuffs, soft drinks and Indian hemp.
During the trial, the court admitted as evidence statements made by the defendants, which were recorded in English and translated into Hausa.
Justice Kuwwa held that the evidence presented against Aisha Abubakar was insufficient to sustain the charges against her and consequently ordered her discharge and acquittal.
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However, the court found Jamila Sule, Ramatu Habibu and Zara’u Abdulkarim guilty on all counts and sentenced each of them to 14 years in prison.
