Mr. Ahmed Nawawi, Director of Finance, Sokoto State Urban and Regional Planning Board, and two others have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping a 13-year-old Maryam Mohammed.
Media Advocacy West Africa Foundation (MAWA – Foundation) by January this year reported how Mr. Ahmed Nawawi, and two others allegedly raped Maryam Mohammed.
Nawawi is alleged to have committed the crime with Mr. Ibrahim Isah and Habibu Abdullahi who work under him as a driver and aide serving as accomplices.
The suspects arrested by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Sokoto zonal office were granted administrative bail but were later charged to courts at the Federal High Court, Sokoto.
Mr. Adekoye Vincent, NAPTIP press officer in a stamen, announced the suspects were charged to court.
Nawawi who appeared in court on Monday for the second time over the alleged crime was said to have been remanded at the prison custody while the case has been adjourned to another day.
Mr. Hussaini Gwadabawa, Soko state coordinator network of people living with HIV aids, had reported Nawawi and two others for allegedly raping Maryam 13-year-old girl, who hawks cloth and goes to their office to sell materials to them.
Nawawi and his accomplices during interrogation at the NAPTIP office admitted to having committed the crime and pleaded to settle out of court.
A plea, Sokoto NAPTIP office refused, on the ground that its Abuja headquarters is aware of the case and had directed Nawawi and his accomplices are prosecuted according to the law.
When contacted, Mrs. Aisha Mohammed, Permanent Secretary, Sokoto state Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said her ministry is working hard to ensure all cases of child abuse are addressed in the state while offenders are prosecuted.
Aisha said her ministry is working with NAPTIP to ensure all suspects involved in Maryam’s case are prosecuted, adding that there is pressure from some persons to drop the case, an attempt the permanent secretary says will not happen, vowing that the case must get to a logical conclusion and justice served.
When contacted, Hassana NAPTIP official told MAWA her agency has commenced prosecuting the suspects, pointing out the absence of Sokoto Federal High Court Judge delayed the case.
Hajiya Maram, the girl’s mother, vows that she will do everything within her power to endure her daughter gets justice.
MAWA earlier reported how the director carried out the out.