Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Upper Area Court in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State has sentenced a man to five years in prison after he admitted to abandoning his pregnant secondary school girlfriend, whom he had initially promised to marry and support. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, by Hon. Kabiru Musa of the Upper Area Court 1, has been hailed by legal observers as a strong judicial statement against the growing trend of men deserting young women they have impregnated.
The convict, Kabiru Umar, was dragged to court by the father of the pregnant girl, Mohammed Njidda, and the girl herself, through their counsel, Abdulrahman Njidda Esq. According to the complaint, Umar had approached the girl's father to seek his daughter's hand in marriage, but failed to disclose that he had already impregnated the teenager. Although he initially accepted responsibility for the pregnancy and promised to provide for the young mother-to-be, he later abandoned her, withdrawing all financial and medical support and leaving the girl to face the challenges of pregnancy alone.
When the case came up for hearing, Umar pleaded guilty to the charges of desertion and neglect, a plea that paved the way for his conviction and sentencing. The court convicted him and sentenced him to five years in prison custody, with an option of a N200,000 fine. In addition to the prison term or fine, the court made extensive restitution orders aimed at protecting the welfare of the expectant mother and the unborn child. The convict was ordered to pay his pregnant girlfriend N73,000 to cover medical bills, feeding, and antenatal care; N100,000 for feeding and nutritional supplements; N200,000 to cover the legal fees incurred by the complainant and the girl's father; and N20,000 monthly as maintenance for the pregnancy until she delivers or until otherwise varied by a competent court. The court also directed that the convict continue to take full responsibility for the pregnancy and all related medical needs until delivery, and ordered that all payments shall commence from the date of judgment.
Delivering the judgment, the presiding judge, Hon. Kabiru Musa, made it clear that the sentence was not intended merely to punish the offender but also to serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate similar acts of irresponsibility. The judge held that the law protects the dignity, welfare, and future of women and children, and that the court would not hesitate to enforce that protection whenever called upon. He declared that the ruling was meant to remind members of society that those who impregnate girls and abandon them will be held accountable under the law.
The case has drawn significant attention across Adamawa State and beyond, with many applauding the court's firm stance against the culture of impunity that often surrounds cases of teenage pregnancy and abandonment. The judgment is seen as a landmark ruling that reinforces the legal obligation of men to take responsibility for their actions and to provide for the women they impregnate, particularly when those women are minors or young students. The court's decision to combine a custodial sentence with comprehensive restitution orders reflects a growing judicial recognition that the welfare of the child and the mother must be prioritised, and that financial support is not optional but a legal duty.
This case also highlights the broader challenges of teenage pregnancy and the vulnerability of young girls in rural communities, where access to justice and support services is often limited. By holding the convict accountable and ordering him to provide for the pregnant teenager, the court has set a precedent that could encourage more young women and their families to seek legal redress in similar situations. The judgment sends a clear message that the days of impunity for men who abandon their pregnant partners are numbered, and that the courts are prepared to enforce the law to protect the rights of women and children.
As the convict begins his prison term or pays the fine, the young mother-to-be can now look forward to receiving the financial and medical support she needs to carry her pregnancy to term. The case serves as a powerful reminder that justice, when pursued through the proper legal channels, can provide relief and accountability in even the most difficult personal circumstances. For the people of Ganye and Adamawa State, the judgment stands as a testament to the rule of law and the courts' commitment to upholding the rights of the most vulnerable members of society.
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