Esther Salifu
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Kano State Command, arrested Akar of Gidan Wanka, Unity Road, Fagge Local Government Area, for trafficking and sexual exploitation.
A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced 67-year-old Lebanese national, Zuhier R Akar, to 14 years imprisonment for sexually exploiting two teenage girls.
“The defendant procured the 14 and 15-year-old girls…and sexually exploited them,” said the prosecution, presenting evidence including a video posted on social media and confessional statements.
He said the offence breaches the provisions of Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons(Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and is punishable under Section 26(1) of TIP ACT 2015.
The defence counsel, Mr. R A Kasali, pleaded for leniency on behalf of Akar.
Justice M A. Shu’aibu stated, “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”
However Akar pleaded guilty, and the court ordered him to pay an additional N2m fine.
