Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has lauded the 21-year imprisonment handed down to Ahmadu Yaro, who defiled a three-month-old baby in Adogi village, Nasarawa State.
The minister in a statement in Abuja, Tuesday, described the judgment by the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Aisha Bashir-Aliyu, as a courageous and vital step in protecting the most vulnerable members of the society, children.
“This judgment is a commendable affirmation of the justice system’s role in safeguarding our children,” she said.
The minister, while commending the leadership shown by Justice Bashir-Aliyu said the commitment of the state’s Attorney-General, Mr Isaac Danladi, whose presence in court, symbolised institutional seriousness in tackling sexual and gender-based violence.
She also extended appreciation to Governor Abdullahi Sule for creating an enabling environment where justice can be served.
According to her, the ruling reflects a broader commitment by the state to uphold the safety and dignity of women and children.
“The verdict is not only a victory for the victim’s family, but a powerful statement that impunity will not be tolerated in Nasarawa State,” she said.
The minister emphasised the importance of enforcing the Child Rights Act, CRA, which has been domesticated across the 36 states.
She underscored the ministry’s commitment to ensure that perpetrators of child abuse are held accountable and that survivors receive appropriate care and support.
She emphasised that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, acts of violence against children and women would no longer be ignored or minimised.
“Justice will be visible, survivor-focused and unrelenting,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, therefore, called on other states to follow Nasarawa’s example and urged families, communities, law enforcement and the judiciary to work together in building a safer Nigeria for all children.
“Let this ruling serve as a turning point. A signal to all offenders that Nigeria will no longer shield those who violate her children.”
NAN reports that Justice Bashir-Aliyu, in her judgment, described the act as “barbaric, demonic and a direct attack on the moral conscience of the society.”
She said the sentence would serve as justice for the victim and a warning to others.
NAN reports that the incident, which happened in 2020, sparked nationwide outrage and has now culminated in a conviction after five years of legal proceedings.
Yaro will serve the jail term without an option of fine. NAN
