Aminu Tafida, son of the Special Adviser on Social Investments to Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and two others have been sentenced to four years and six- months imprisonment respectively.
A Magistrate Court presided by Chief Magistrate Shu’aibu Ahmad sentenced the trio on Tuesday with a fine option of N400,000 each, including compensation for circulation of an 18 seconds nude video, criminal conspiracy, abetment, sales and printing of obscene book.
Two others sentenced along the Special Adviser’s son were: Umar Abubakar and Masaud Abubakar Gidado.
While delivering judgment in the case, which was characterised by series of adjournments, Magistrate Shu’aibu said the prosecuting counsel has proven his case beyond any reasonable doubts and as such the three accused persons were convicted for the very offenses put forward before them.
Citing Section 209 ACJN of Sokoto 2019, Shu’aibu however gave opportunity to Counsels to the defendants to make any other submission before reading his sentences.
Counsels to all the defendants separately but unanimously said they had no intention to invite any other witness, pleading that justice should be tempered with mercy on the grounds that all the defendants were youths who have future before them and first- time offenders.
They said: “We are appealing to this honourable Court to show leniency in its sentence, more so that the defendants have all shown remorsefulness over their actions.
“We are therefore appealing that other options should also be considered as sentencing convicts is no longer a fashion this time around.
“And if in the case this Court so wish to sentence them, the Court should be liberal taking into cognisance, the economic hardship being faced this time around. Your worship sir, we so appealed’”.
In his sentence, Shuaibu said he had taken into consideration that the defendants were first- time offenders and he would be lenient.
The Magistrate said for the offences of indecent act which goes contrary to Section 171 of Sokoto State Penal Code the defendants are sentenced to pay a fine of N200, 000 each which default will lead to two- year imprisonment.
He said for the offence of sharing and sales of obscene book, the defendants were sentenced to pay N50,000 each for which defiant will lead to two- year imprisonment.
He further said for the offence of abatement, Section 48 of the Sokoto Penal Code provides N50,000 or conviction for 6 months in the case of defiance.
The Chief Magistrate also said each of the defendants is to pay N100,000 compensation to the complainant.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Sule and the complainant, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
According to them, the pronouncements will serve as deterrent to others.
