Three Kebbi women have been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each after being found culpable of contravening the state’s laws by aiding banditry and other criminal activities.
Justice Hassan Kuwwa pronounced the injunction over the offenders Jamila Sule, Ramatu Habibu and Zara’u Abdulkarim convicting them of criminal conspiracy, abetment and belonging to a gang of brigands under the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The court found the three defendants guilty of supporting outlawed armed groups by providing them with supplies, ruling that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The case was heard on Monday at the Kebbi State High Court in Birnin Kebbi after a review of evidence presented by the prosecutors during the trial, stating that the offences occurred on December 14, 2023, at Sabon Gari Hills Forest in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
They alleged that the convicted women supplied food items, soft drinks and Indian hemp to armed bandits operating in the area.
During the proceedings, the court admitted as evidence statements made by the defendants.
The statements were originally recorded in English before being translated into Hausa for use during the trial.
However, another defendant standing trial alongside them was cleared after the court ruled that the evidence against her was insufficient.
“The prosecution successfully proved the charges against the convicted defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Hassan Kuwwa said while delivering the judgment.
“The evidence presented against the first defendant does not support a conviction.”
The trial court consequently discharged and acquitted Aisha Abubakar, the first defendant, after determining that prosecutors failed to establish her involvement in the alleged offences.
In his final ruling, Justice Kuwwa maintained that while the evidence did not implicate Aisha Abubakar, it clearly established the guilt of the remaining three defendants, leading to their conviction on all counts and subsequent 14-year jail terms.