The High Court in Bauchi State on Wednesday sentenced two middle-aged men, Mohammed Sani Alias Bambi, 30, and Sabo Rabo alias Bullet, 40, to life in prison for raping a 40-year-old woman and plucking her eyes.
The Judge, Justice Rabi Umar, in her ruling said that the convicts, who hail from Dass and Toro local government areas of the state, conspired and raped the woman at Yelwan Dawani in Toro town on March 1, 2014.
Umar said that the two men were brought before her on March 4, 2015 charged with conspiracy, rape, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
According to her, the convicts and two others currently at large, also removed the right eye of their victim, who is a cripple, and damaged her left eye.
The judge added that one of the defendants, Bitrus Yakubu alias Japan, died at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi while on remand.
While Usman Sambo alias Galambi, 35, also implicated in the matter, was, however, discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence.
“Prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt, therefore, the court has no option than to sentence the two convicts to life in prison without an option of fine.
“I have heard the plea for leniency but I will be quick to say that the first and second defendants deserve no sympathy because their action reveals how callous and barbaric they are.
“I, therefore, could best describe you as devils in human skins who must be taken away from the streets,” Umar said.
The convicts, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge through their lawyer, pleaded for leniency after the judgment was read to them.
The judge, however, turned down their requests, noting that their acts were heinous and must be punished accordingly.
