67-year-old Lebanese sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually exploiting two teenage girls in Kano

A Federal High Court in Kano State has sentenced a 67-year-old Lebanese national, Zuhier R Akar, to 14 years in prison for sexually exploiting two teenage girls.

The Kano Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has charged Akar of Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Fagge Local Government Area, Kano with two counts of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Judge SM Shu’aibu delivered his judgment on Thursday, October 10, 2024, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Shu’aibu sentenced the suspect to 14 years in prison without the possibility of a fine.

The judge also ordered him to pay an additional fine of N2 million for the offence.

Earlier, Kano State Prosecutor and NAPTIP Commander, Mr. Abdullahi Babale, informed the court that the Kano Command of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) reported the matter to the agency on September 5, 2024.

Babale said the suspect committed the offense at about 10.30pm on September 4 at his house at Gidan Wanka, Unity Road Kano.

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

“A video was posted on social media showing the suspect engaging in sexual misconduct with the victims.”

The prosecution presented four exhibits, including the suspect’s confession and the victims’ testimony, to the court to prove its case.

The suspect pleaded guilty to the charges.

The offense is contrary to the provisions of section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and is punishable under Sec 26(1) of TIP ACT 2015.

The counsel, Mr RA Kasali, pleaded for leniency on Akar’s behalf.