The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction and life imprisonment of two security guards, James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25, for the repeated rape of a young girl in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday by NAPTIP’s Press and Public Relations Officer, Vincent Adekoye, the agency said the convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment without the option of fine by Justice S.M. Mayana of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 46, Apo, Abuja.
According to the statement, the two men were prosecuted under the provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act following investigations by the agency.
NAPTIP disclosed that the abuse began in 2016 when the victim was six years old and continued for several years before the case was eventually reported in 2022.
The victim narrated that James Sule, who worked as a security guard for the family at their residence in Penthouse Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, allegedly lured her into a toilet while carrying out repair work in the house and sexually assaulted her after threatening her with a knife.
The agency said the abuse continued repeatedly over the years, with Sule later allegedly involving another security guard, Adamu Yau, and a third suspect identified as Muhammed, who remains at large.
According to NAPTIP, the suspects threatened the victim and warned her against disclosing the abuse to anyone.
The case eventually came to light after the victim’s parents noticed changes in her behaviour and sought help. The child later disclosed the abuse to a pastor, leading to a formal report to the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), which subsequently referred the matter to NAPTIP.
The agency stated that the suspects were arrested and charged in court on Feb. 9, 2023, before being arraigned later that year on charges under Sections 1 and 5 of the VAPP Act.
During the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses and tendered seven exhibits, including medical evidence confirming sexual assault.
Reacting to the judgment, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu-Bello, described the conviction as a major step in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
She commended the judiciary for delivering what she called justice commensurate with the gravity of the offence, adding that the judgment would serve as a strong warning to offenders.
Adamu-Bello also urged parents and guardians to carry out proper background checks on domestic staff and service providers, including security guards, drivers, cooks, babysitters, and lesson teachers.
The victim’s mother, whose identity was withheld, thanked NAPTIP and the prosecution team for ensuring justice for her daughter.
NAPTIP added that the convicts have since been transferred to the Kuje Correctional Centre to begin serving their life sentences.
