The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured the conviction and life imprisonment of two security guards for the prolonged sexual abuse of a minor in Abuja.
Justice S.M. Mayana of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo sentenced James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25, to life imprisonment without the option of a fine under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
NAPTIP said the abuse began in 2016 when the victim was 6 years old and continued for several years before the case was reported in 2022.
According to the agency, the victim’s parents became alarmed by changes in her behaviour before the abuse was later disclosed to a pastor and reported to authorities.
The suspects were arrested and arraigned in 2023, while prosecutors presented witnesses and medical evidence during the trial.
Reacting to the judgment, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello described the ruling as a strong warning to perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence.
“This is a clear message to all violators that NAPTIP is closing in on them,” she said.
Bello also urged parents and employers to conduct proper background checks before hiring domestic workers, drivers and security personnel.
The convicts have been transferred to the Kuje Correctional Centre to begin serving their life sentences.
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