The paramount ruler of Dan Gulam in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has been accused of raping, impregnating and infecting a young girl (names withheld) with HIV in the process.
This was contained in a letter dated October 16, 2023, copied to the Secretary of Dutse Emirate Council, Dutse Emir’s Palace, by Senior State Counsel in Jigawa State Ministry of Justice, Kabiru Abdullah Esq., with the title “Notification of arraignment of Umar Ibrahim (Village Head of DanGulam) on the offence of rape contrary to section 3 (1) (A and D) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021”
Though the monarch denied the allegation, there are alleged pressure on the emirate to sweep the matter under the carpet despite appeals and the State government’s intervention through the office of the Attorney General.
According to the letter, the village head claimed to have initiated a defamation of character suit against the girl, her father, and another person before Upper Shari’a Court, Gwaram.
Investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department of Jigawa State Police Command reportedly established criminal conspiracy and rape cases against the monarch.
The letter read: “I have been directed by the Hon. Attorney General of Jigawa State to write and notify your Highness that, a complaint of rape and infection with HIV was lodged at the Office of the Hon. Attorney General by one Ya’u Muhammad ‘m’ in which he alleged that Umar had engaged his daughter in an illegal sexual intercourse, which resulted in her pregnancy and infected her with HIV.
“Upon receiving the complaint, parties were invited and in the course of discussion with the Hon. Attorney General, Umar Ibrahim (the village head) revealed that he had filed a case of defamation against the girl, her father, and one Sule Umar of Dan Gulamvillage before Upper Shari’a Court Gwaram.
“The Attorney General directed for the case at Upper Sharia Court Gwaram to be taken over and all parties were referred to state CID Dutse for investigation of the two cases.
“After the investigation by the police at state CID, the case diary was sent to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.