The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a 19-year-old school teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, to life imprisonment for sodomising a nine-year-old pupil.
The judgment, delivered by Honourable Justice M. Osho-Adebiyi, marks another significant victory for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in its sustained fight against sexual violence and child abuse.
Abbass, a class teacher in one of the leading schools in Kwali Area Council, was found guilty of raping his male pupil after luring him from home on March 19, 2025. According to the case file, the convict had sent another pupil to call the victim and later took him to a nearby location, where he committed the crime.
Despite threats from the teacher, the child confided in his mother, who immediately reported the matter to the Police. The case was subsequently referred to NAPTIP for investigation and prosecution.
The offence, punishable under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, led to a two-count charge bordering on rape and sexual abuse. Abbass was convicted and sentenced on October 29, 2025, with no option of fine.
Reacting to the judgment, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, commended the judiciary for upholding justice and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of sexual exploitation.
“This is a landmark judgment that carries commensurate punishment for the offender,” she said. “It will serve as a deterrent, and the convict’s name shall be entered into NAPTIP’s Sex Offenders Register.”
The NAPTIP boss also praised the swift investigation and inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Police and NAPTIP operatives, describing the conviction as proof of renewed institutional commitment to eradicating domestic violence, rape, and other sexual crimes.
“The speedy prosecution of this case reflects our determination to ensure justice for survivors of sexual abuse,” she added. “We remain resolute in upholding the dignity and protection of every child in Nigeria.”
The conviction further underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to enforce the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, and strengthen the legal framework for safeguarding the rights and welfare of children.