convict is a first time offender and has shown remorse for his action. We urged the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict. H. B. Dogondaji – We are not objecting to the plea of leniency in respect of the convict. We don’t have any record of previous conviction in respect of the convict. SENTENCE I have considered the passionate pleas for mercy by the learned defence counsel. I have also considered the fact that the defendant/convict is a first time offender. It is to be noted that the convict was charged with the offence of rape under section 260 of the Sokoto state penal code 2019. Section 260 provides as follows: “Whoever commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment for life or for a term which shall not be less than Twenty One years”. Therefore considering the provision of section 260 (1) of the penal code cited above the minimum sentence this court can impose on the convict is 21 years imprisonment. 35