Forbidden Love: Court Sentences Adamawa Teenage Girl And Boyfriend To 10 Strokes Of The Cane Over Defiant Romance
The Upper Area Court Number One sitting in Ganye, Adamawa State, has handed down a sentence of ten strokes of the cane each to two lovers whose defiant relationship sparked intense local interest. Presiding Judge Alkali Kabir Musa delivered the judgment on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The case involves a 21-year-old young man, Ebuka Emeka, an Igbo native residing along the Old Market Road in Ganye, and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Binta Mohammed, a Chamba native from the Tafare community in Ganye.
According to court proceedings, the romantic relationship between the boyfriend and girlfriend spanned a lengthy period, eventually escalating when Binta abandoned her family home to move directly into Ebuka’s apartment with the mutual intention of marriage. However, both families vehemently opposed the union, citing the lovers’ young age, religious differences, and ethnic disparity.
Unable to dissuade the teenagers, Binta’s parents sought legal intervention to dissolve the relationship, receiving complete backing from Ebuka’s family as well.
During the court hearings, Judge Kabir Musa repeatedly questioned Binta regarding her parents’ grievances. While she acknowledged understanding the complaints, she defiantly maintained her refusal to part ways with her boyfriend. In a dramatic courtroom display that caught attendees by surprise, Binta openly embraced Ebuka in front of the bench.
In response to the emotional outburst, the court initially ordered the two lovers remanded in a correctional facility and mandated comprehensive medical examinations — including pregnancy tests for Binta and general health evaluations for both. Medical results released on Friday confirmed that both individuals were in good health and that Binta was not pregnant.
Concluding the trial, Judge Kabir Musa administered a stern warning alongside the sentence of ten strokes of the cane for each of the lovers. To enforce compliance, the court directed both sets of parents to exercise strict vigilance over the youths. Additionally, the judge officially instructed the village head of Tafare, Malam Pakistan, alongside local community members, to closely monitor Binta and immediately report any further contact between the pair to the court.
