The Chief Magistrate, Sokoto Magistrates’ Court, Shu’ aibu Ahmad, on Monday, fixed August 31 for his judgment in a case of alleged abetment, indecent act, sale and printing of obscene book in the form of circulating nude video against Aminu Hayatu Tafida, the son of Special Adviser on Social Development to Sokoto State Governor.
The three other defendants in the case are Umar Abubakar, Mas’ud Abubakar-Gidado and Aliyu Shehu Kangiwa.
The four defendants are being prosecuted for offences bordering on alleged circulation of an 18 seconds nude video, criminal conspiracy, abetment, sales and printing of obscene book. But in one of the court sittings, Magistrate Shuabu discharged the fourth accused, Aliyu Shehu Kangiwa, following the inability of the prosecuting police officer, ASP Samuel Sule to establish any incriminating evidence against him.
According to Magistrate Shuaibu, the offences are contrary to sections 48, 171 and 173 of the Penal Code of Sokoto State.
Explaining what took place in 2017, Magistrate Shuaibu stated that Hayatu-Tafida was said to have recorded a sex tape,shared it with other defendants and then circulated same through different social media platforms.
The magistrate said, “The alleged sex tape was recorded in 2017 involving a 16-year-old daughter of the complainant”.
When the charge was read to the three defendants: Hayatu Tafida, Masud Abubakar and Umar Abubakar, they pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Lawyers to the first, second and third defendants, Almustapha Abubakar, and Shamsu Dauda, separately made oral appeal before the court for the first, second and third prosecution witnesses to be called before the court for cross- examination.
All the prosecuting witnesses have appeared before the court while the case have witnessed series of adjournments before the magistrate finally fixed August 31 for his judgment on the matter.
