STEPHEN JONAH ADAH, J.S.C. (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This appeal challenges the decision of the Court of Appeal, Jos Judicial Division, in Appeal No: CA/J/75c/2020, delivered on July 13, 2020. The appellate Court upheld the judgment of the trial Court, which was delivered on October 8, 2019, in Suit No: BAZ84C/2017. In that judgment, the appellant, along with two other co-accused persons, was found guilty and sentenced to ten (10) years imprisonment for criminal conspiracy under Section 4(1) of the Bauchi State (Special Provision) Law, 2017, and life imprisonment for the offence of rape under Section 1(1) of the same law, both without the option of a fine.
The facts of this case, in summary, are as follows: On October 4, 2017, at around 01:50 hours, one Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, accompanied by Hauwa’u Suleiman and Fatima Ahmed, was traveling to Yelwa Area in Bauchi Metropolis via tricycle. Near A.Y.M. Shafa Filling Station, their tricycle broke down. While they attempted to repair i…