Yobe govt approves life imprisonment for rapists

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, on Monday, signed into law life imprisonment and 25 years jail term for rape of minors and adults, respectively.

While signing the law in Damaturu, Gaidam said that government took a proactive action in view of the rampant increase of rape cases, kidnapping and unnatural offences being reported across the state and the country.

“Whoever commits rape, where the victim is a minor, shall be punished with imprisonment for life and where the victim is an adult, shall be jailed for a term of 25 years,” he said.

Speaking further, the Governor said that any kidnapper arrested in the state would face a 14-year-jail term.

“Anyone who is ascertained to have carnal knowledge against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal is said to have committed unnatural offence and shall be convicted with a prison term that may extend to 25 years or not below 14 years.

“The law stipulates that whoever takes, entices, confines any person by means of force, threat or deceives such person without his consent or lawful authority with intent to deprive him of his personal liberty will be construed to have committed the offence of kidnapping,” he said.

According to Gaidam, the court shall also award appropriate compensation to rape victims as it deems fit in the circumstance.

Gaidam said his administration was committed to the speedy dispensation of justice to attain a peaceful, egalitarian, disciplined and prosperous society.