From Onimisi Alao, Yola
The case file on the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, has gone missing.
The case, on which judgment was scheduled for Tuesday, was adjourned till January 14, after the judge, Hon. Umar Isa of Upper Area Court 3, was told that the file could not be found.
Responding to the development, a rights activist, Nuwama Markus of the Centre for Women & Adolescent Empowerment, Yola, said it was most unfortunate.
“This case was due for judgment two weeks ago, but it was adjourned till today (yesterday) because lawyers were marking their Bar week,” he said, adding that it was sad that the case had to be adjourned once again.
The sudden disappearance of the case file came to light yesterday when police prosecutor Ibrahim Aliyu reminded the judge of the case.
The judge, who had already entertained some cases, was told by his clerical officials that the file on the case was unavailable.
The judge ordered the official to go and get it from the registrar, but was told that the registrar was not in office.
The judge then ordered that the file be produced on January 14.
The case, which started in September 2018, involves a 25-year-old man, Aliyu Muhammed, who was accused of defiling a five-year-old girl.
The girl lives with her parents in the same house with him in Yola town, Yola South Local Government Area.
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