Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the conviction and 12‑year prison sentence of a 42‑year‑old man, Dauda Sani Haladu, who was found guilty of raping his 15‑year‑old domestic worker in Abuja. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced the final judgment in a statement on Monday, May 11, 2026, describing the apex court’s decision as a “landmark victory in the fight against Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence”.
The incident occurred on March 11, 2017, when Haladu took advantage of the absence of his wife and children to sexually assault the teenage girl, identified as Judith James – a pseudonym used to protect her identity – at their residence in Abuja. After the assault, the convict threatened the victim’s life in an attempt to silence her. Despite the intimidation, the teenager eventually confided in a school official, which led to NAPTIP’s intervention and the subsequent prosecution of the suspect.
Haladu was arraigned on November 11, 2017, under Section 1(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPPA) before the FCT High Court sitting in Abuja. In 2021, Justice M.A. Nasir convicted him and sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment. The convict challenged both the conviction and the sentence, taking his appeal through the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. On May 8, 2026, the apex court delivered its final judgment, affirming the conviction and upholding the full 12‑year prison sentence without any reduction.
In its statement, NAPTIP said the Supreme Court ruling sends a strong message that perpetrators of violence against women and children will not escape justice. “This final judgment serves as a stern reminder that the law is patient but persistent,” the agency stated. NAPTIP further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, particularly domestic workers and minors, while ensuring offenders face the full weight of the law.
The case has been widely hailed by child protection advocates as a significant judicial milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle against sexual violence. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the 12‑year sentence for a rape committed in 2017 underscores the judiciary’s willingness to affirm strong penalties for sexual offenders even when appeals drag on for years. The judgment also validates the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act as a potent legal tool for prosecuting sexual crimes, particularly those involving minors and vulnerable domestic workers.
For the survivor, Judith James, the Supreme Court’s final decision brings a measure of closure after nearly a decade of judicial proceedings. For the convict, Dauda Sani Haladu, the affirmation of his sentence means he will serve the remaining years of his 12‑year term with no further legal avenue for appeal. The judgment is being seen as a significant boost to efforts aimed at combating sexual violence and strengthening accountability for crimes against children in Nigeria.
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