ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has sentenced two security guards to life imprisonment for repeatedly raping a minor over a period spanning several years, in a case prosecutors described as one of the most disturbing child sexual abuse prosecutions in recent years.
The court, presided over by Justice S.M. Mayana, found the convicts — identified as James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25 — guilty of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault under provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act. The judgment was delivered following a prosecution led by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
According to court filings and testimony presented during trial, the abuse began in 2016 when the victim was approximately six years old and continued over several years while she lived in a residential estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja. Prosecutors told the court that Sule, who worked as a security guard for the victim’s family, initially gained access to the child under the guise of protection before exploiting her vulnerability.
The court heard that the first assault occurred in a toilet within the residence, where the convict allegedly threatened the child into silence. Evidence presented also indicated that the victim was repeatedly intimidated with threats of harm against her family if she disclosed the abuse.
Investigators told the court that the case came to light in 2022 after the victim’s behavioural changes raised concern among relatives. She reportedly disclosed the abuse after speaking to a trusted religious figure, which led to a formal complaint and subsequent investigation by family support organisations before the matter was escalated to NAPTIP and law enforcement authorities.
During the trial, prosecutors called multiple witnesses, including members of the victim’s family, and tendered medical and forensic evidence confirming sexual trauma. The prosecution also argued that the defendants acted in concert, with at least one additional suspect named in court documents as being at large.
The court was told that the defendants not only committed repeated sexual violence but also used threats of violence and psychological intimidation to prevent the child from reporting the crimes. Medical reports presented in evidence confirmed injuries consistent with sustained sexual abuse over a prolonged period.
Although the defendants pleaded not guilty, Justice Mayana ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge described the acts as “heinous, predatory and a gross abuse of trust,” noting that the victim was especially vulnerable due to her age and the defendants’ position of authority within her environment.
In delivering judgment, the court imposed life imprisonment on both convicts without the option of a fine. The sentence was handed down under provisions of Nigeria’s sexual offences legislation, which prescribes severe penalties for rape of minors, including mandatory life imprisonment in certain circumstances.
Prosecutors and officials from NAPTIP welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant victory in the fight against sexual violence against children. They said the judgment reflected the judiciary’s growing intolerance for crimes involving exploitation of minors, particularly where perpetrators occupy positions of trust.
Child rights advocates also reacted to the ruling, calling it an important precedent that reinforces the need for stronger safeguarding mechanisms in residential and institutional settings. They emphasised that cases involving long-term abuse often go undetected due to fear, coercion, and lack of early reporting structures.
Law enforcement authorities confirmed that investigations into related aspects of the case remain ongoing, including efforts to locate additional suspects mentioned during trial proceedings. Officials also reiterated calls for communities to report suspected abuse early, stressing that delayed reporting often allows offenders to continue harming victims.
Legal analysts note that the case aligns with a broader pattern of increased prosecution of sexual offences in Nigeria, particularly under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which has strengthened legal frameworks for addressing rape and child defilement across several states.
The sentencing adds to a series of recent high-profile convictions involving security personnel and other individuals entrusted with access to vulnerable persons, underscoring ongoing concerns about vetting and supervision in private security employment.
Authorities say the judgment is expected to serve as a deterrent and reinforce accountability standards for individuals working in sensitive residential environments, especially those involving children.
The court has ordered that the convicts be transferred to correctional custody to begin serving their sentences immediately, while victims’ support agencies continue to provide counselling and assistance to the survivor.
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