Three women jailed for 14 years for aiding armed bandits in Kebbi

A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced three women to 14 years’ imprisonment each after finding them guilty of criminal conspiracy, abetment and belonging to a gang of brigands.

The court convicted the women over allegations that they supplied food, drinks and other items to armed bandits operating in Shanga Local Government Area of the state.

Delivering judgment, Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwwa held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the second, third and fourth defendants, while the first defendant, Aisha Abubakar, was acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.

The convicted women, Jamila Sule, Ramatu Habibu and Zara’u Abdulkarim, were found guilty under the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021, of criminal conspiracy, abetment and belonging to a gang of brigands.

The prosecution told the court that the offences were committed on December 14, 2023, at Sabon Gari Hills Forest in Shanga Local Government Area, where the defendants allegedly supplied armed bandits with Indian hemp, foodstuffs and soft drinks.

During the trial, the court admitted as exhibits statements made by the defendants, which were recorded in English and translated into Hausa.

Justice Kuwwa ruled that the evidence presented against Aisha Abubakar was insufficient to secure a conviction and accordingly discharged and acquitted her.

The judge, however, found Jamila Sule, Ramatu Habibu and Zara’u Abdulkarim guilty on all counts and sentenced each of them to 14 years in prison.