Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad of Kano State High Court on Wednesday, sentenced a football team coach, one Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for committing sodomy against his minor player.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, the Kano State counsel, Ibrahim Arif Garba, called five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.