By Freedom Sunrise
By Agency
A Kano Chief Magistrate Court has granted bail to a
lecturer standing trial over alleged sexual harassment of his female student.
lecturer standing trial over alleged sexual harassment of his female student.
The 36-year-old lecturer, Shehu, was granted
N200,000 bail with two reliable sureties in like sum by Chief Magistrate
Muhammad Idris.
N200,000 bail with two reliable sureties in like sum by Chief Magistrate
Muhammad Idris.
He said one of the sureties must be a Senior
Lecturer of Kano State School of Technology and the second should be the village
head of the community where the accused person resides.
Lecturer of Kano State School of Technology and the second should be the village
head of the community where the accused person resides.
“Both the accused and sureties shall deposit two
recent passport photographs,’’ he ordered on Tuesday.
recent passport photographs,’’ he ordered on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that the court
had earlier fixed October 15, for sentencing after the accused pleaded guilty,
but during Tuesday’s hearing, his counsel requested for a fresh trial.
had earlier fixed October 15, for sentencing after the accused pleaded guilty,
but during Tuesday’s hearing, his counsel requested for a fresh trial.
The counsel, Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, told the court
that when the accused person was first arraigned on October 8, he admitted the
content of the First Information Report without understanding it.
that when the accused person was first arraigned on October 8, he admitted the
content of the First Information Report without understanding it.
“We humbly apply that the content of the FIR to be
read and explained to the accused person again to give his plea in line with
section 36 of the Constitution of Nigeria for fair hearing,’’ Ibrahim said.
read and explained to the accused person again to give his plea in line with
section 36 of the Constitution of Nigeria for fair hearing,’’ Ibrahim said.
When the plea of the accused was again taken, he
pleaded not guilty, and his counsel urged the court to grant him bail.
pleaded not guilty, and his counsel urged the court to grant him bail.
“If granted bail, he will not jump bail nor will he
commit another offence and he is ready to comply with the court order.’’
commit another offence and he is ready to comply with the court order.’’
Shehu, a lecturer of Kano State School of
Technology, is facing trial on two counts of breach of official trust and
attempt to commit an offence, contrary to Sections 95 and 98 of the Penal Code.
Technology, is facing trial on two counts of breach of official trust and
attempt to commit an offence, contrary to Sections 95 and 98 of the Penal Code.
The Prosecutor, ASP Badamasi Gawuna, had earlier
told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 19, in Kano
State.
told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 19, in Kano
State.
Gawuna said this followed a sting operation
conducted by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
conducted by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
He said that on the said date at around 11.00 a.m.,
the accused, took one of his female students (name withheld) to Ummi Plaza in
Kano, to help him mark students’ final semester examination scripts.
the accused, took one of his female students (name withheld) to Ummi Plaza in
Kano, to help him mark students’ final semester examination scripts.
“In the process, the accused admitted to touching
the said victim’s private parts,’’ the prosecutor said.
the said victim’s private parts,’’ the prosecutor said.
The chief magistrate has adjourned the case until
November 7, for hearing.
November 7, for hearing.
_
(NAN)
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