Kano coach jailed for eight years without option of fine for sodomising a minor player, as court finds him guilty on two counts of sexual abuse

The Kano coach jailed for sodomising his minor player has been sentenced to eight years in prison without the option of a fine by the Kano State High Court.

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Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, who presided over the case on Wednesday, delivered the ruling after finding Hayatu Muhammad, a football team coach and resident of Sanka in Dala Local Government Area, guilty of committing the offence twice at different locations.

The convict had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, during the trial, Kano State counsel, Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses whose testimonies established a strong case against the defendant. In contrast, Muhammad testified as the sole witness in his defence.

After reviewing all testimonies and evidence, Justice Dahuru held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted the defendant accordingly.

The judge sentenced Muhammad to four years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, ordering that the terms run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years behind bars.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, contravenes Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which prohibits acts of sodomy and prescribes severe penalties for offenders.

The court’s verdict brings closure to a disturbing case that sparked outrage in the local community and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of child protection laws in Kano State.