A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 19-year-old teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, to life imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old pupil.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Press Officer of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Vincent Adekoye.
Grow your business with us
According to Adekoye, the judgment was delivered by Justice M. Osho-Adebiyi of the court on October 29.
He said Abbass, who was working in one of the schools located in Kwali, was sentenced without the option of a fine.
Adekoye said, “The landmark judgment underscores the efforts of the present management of NAPTIP under the watch of the Director General, Binta Bello, as well as the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protecting children from sexual abuse. This came as a morale boost to state and non-state actors in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.
“It would be recalled that, as part of the renewed determination to tackle the emerging issues of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape in the country, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, had recently strengthened the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Department of the Agency through capacity building for its operatives, thereby leading to swift intervention and diligent prosecution of all cases.”
According to report, the convict, on March 19, 2025, after school hours, sent another pupil to call the victim from their home.
He thereafter took the victim down the street where he lived and raped the male victim through the anus.
The victim reported the incident to his mother, which led to Abbass’ arrest by the police and the subsequent referral of the case to NAPTIP.
Abbas was arraigned on two counts of rape and sexual abuse and was subsequently convicted and sentenced.
Commenting on the issue, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, lauded the judiciary for the judgment and the support of all partners in the prosecution of the case and the conviction of the offender.
She said, “This is a landmark judgment that carries the commensurate punishment for the offender. This will serve as a deterrent, and his name shall feature prominently in our Sex Offenders Register.
“I wish to say that the speedy investigation and arraignment of the convict is a testimony to our renewed commitment and determination to tackle the incidence of domestic violence, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse in the country. I thank the judiciary for the judgment and the Nigeria Police for the inter-agency collaboration on this case.”
About The Author