Court Remands Islamic Teacher Who caused Injuries With Cable On 7yr-Old

Minna—Senior Magistrate’s Court of Niger State has ruled that Nura Suleiman, an Islamic teacher, be placed on remand in Minna prison custody after he seriously injured a seven-year-old child.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge brought against him.

Niger State Child Right Agency, in Suleja, had received a tip-off on how the Islamic teacher inflicted serious injuries on the seven-year-old by using an electric cable to whip the pupil, Isah Muazu, during which he sustained the injuries on all parts of his body, and was rushed to the Suleja General Hospital for medical attention.

The police Prosecutor, Inspector Emna Bassa had told the court that the defendant also inflicted similar injuries on one of his Islamic pupils, Khalifa Mohammed, a seven years old last year.

Suleiman was arraigned on three count charges of causing hurt without provocation, cruelty to children, and ill treatment of a child.

According to the police First Information Report, FIR, the prosecutor said the three count charges were punishable under sections 246,238 (a) of the Penal Code law and Section 25 of Niger State Child Right and Protection Law 2021, as amended.

When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

However, he had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence during preliminary investigations by the police and attributed it to the act of devil.

His counsel, Bawa Mijinyawa made an oral application for his bail, which was objected by the prosecutor, arguing that the case has national interest as the injuries sustained by the seven year old pupil went viral on social media platforms.

The prosecutor asked for the remand of the defendant in prison custody for adjournment of the case for further mention.

Senior Magistrate Hajiya Yusuf in his ruling, directed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till February 19, 2024.