Lebanese risk fourteen years in prison for exploiting minors

• To pay an additional fine of N2m

A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced Zuhier R. Akar, a Lebanese national, to 14 years in prison for trafficking and procuring two minors whom he sexually exploited.

The convict was charged by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on two counts of trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation, punishable under section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons Act 2015.

The Lebanese, 67 years old, lives in Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Fagge Local Government Area and the victims he brought to the same address were 14 and 15 years old, according to court papers in the lawsuit FHC/KN/CR/224/2024 .

Judge SM Shu’aibu sentenced Akar to 14 years’ imprisonment without the option of fine, as well as payment of an additional fine of N2 million for the two offences.

Counsel for NAPTIP, Babale Shuaibu, commended the judgment, saying it would serve as a deterrent to others who derive pleasure from sexual exploitation of minors.

Earlier, the Prosecutor and Kano Zone Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Abdullahi Babale, informed the court that the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Kano Command, reported the matter to the agency on September 5, 2024 that the suspect committed the offense on September 4 at about 10:30 pm at his house located at Gidan Wanka, Unity Road Kano.

“The accused obtained the 14 and 15-year-old girls at Civic Center Road near Suya Spot, took them to his house and sexually exploited them.

“A video of the accused engaging in sexual misconduct with the victims was posted on social media,” Babale said.

The prosecution presented four exhibits, including the suspect’s confessional statement and the victim’s testimonies, to the court to prove its case, while the suspect pleaded guilty to the charges against him.