A Sharia Court in Tudun Wada Zaria, Kaduna State, on Thursday adjourned the trial of a businessman, Ibrahim Jibril (a.k.a. yellow), suspected of raping his neighbour’s seven-year-old daughter.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the trial Judge, Malam Mustapha-Mohammed Abdullahi said there was an application for adjournment from the Defence Counsel, Messr A.T. Abubakar.
The judge said the defence counsel said he was appearing before the Federal High Court Kaduna in a case filed by the NDIC against NARICT.
He, therefore, adjourned the matter until Nov. 23 for hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the suspect was arraigned by the police on Sept. 10 over the alleged rape.
The father of the victim, Malam Aliyu Mohammed, told NAN that the Imam of their Mosque reported the case to Alhaji Mohammed Mikail, Ward Head of Gonar-Ganye, Tudun-Jukun, Zaria.
He added that the ward head referred the case to Tudun Wada Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.
Mohammed said he was at Kaduna for his business (nail cutting) when his wife called and told him about the case.
He allegedly said the suspect is his neighbour and he lured his daughter who went to his house to buy charcoal and maize flour and allegedly had an illegal carnal knowledge of her.
Muhammed added he confronted the suspect in the Mosque at Tsallaken Dogo, in Tudun Jukun over the case, he owned-up and sought forgiveness.
He further alleged that the suspect apologised to him during the early morning congregation prayers and later the Imam forwarded the matter to the ward head.
