A High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Ahmadu Yaro, to 21 years imprisonment for raping a three-month-old baby in Adogi village, Lafia Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment on Monday, the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Hon. Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu, condemned the act as “barbaric, demonic, and a direct attack on the moral conscience of society.” She noted that the sentence serves as both justice for the victim and a deterrent to others.
The incident, which occurred in 2020, sparked national outrage and led to a prolonged legal battle that lasted five years. Yaro will serve the prison term without the option of a fine.
The case drew significant public attention after the Nasarawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Isaac Danladi, personally led the prosecution team—a move widely applauded by legal observers.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barr. Mohammed Nda Yako, who witnessed the proceedings, described Danladi’s involvement as “true leadership and an unwavering dedication to justice.”
Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Danladi said: “This ruling sends a strong message that Nasarawa State has zero tolerance for sexual violence. Justice has finally been served.”
He reiterated the commitment of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence face the full weight of the law.