Lebanese Sentenced To 14 Years For Sexual Exploition Of Teenage Girls

Zuhier R. Akar, a 67-year-old Lebanese, was on Thursday, sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Kano State for sexually exploiting two teenage girls.

Akar was charged to court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for trafficking and sexual exploitation.

According to the Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, “the Department of Security Services, Kano Command, reported the matter to the agency on September 5, 2024.”

Babale stated, “The defendant procured the 14 and 15-year-old girls at the Civic Centre Road near Suya Spot, took them to his house and sexually exploited them. A video of the defendant having sexual misconduct with the victims was posted on social media.”

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The prosecution presented four exhibits, including Akar’s confessional statement and the victims’ testimony, to prove their case.

Akar pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay an additional N2 million fine.

Justice M.A. Shu’aibu ruled, “The prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced Akar to 14 years imprisonment without any fine option.

The defence counsel, Mr. R.A. Kasali, pleaded for leniency on behalf of Akar.

Akar’s actions contravened the provisions of Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, punishable under Section 26(1) of TIP ACT 2015.