In a landmark judgment that underscores Nigeria's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable, two security guards, James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25, have been handed life imprisonment without the option of a fine by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. The conviction, secured by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), is for the repeated rape of a six-year-old girl over an agonizing period of six years, transforming her childhood into a living hell.

The horrific ordeal began in 2016 when the victim, then just six years old, was at her family’s residence in Penthouse Estate, Lugbe, Abuja. Her grandmother had requested Sule, who served as the family’s security guard, to repair a broken toilet. While her grandmother was in the kitchen, Sule found the child crying on her bed over a spoiled cello tape. He called her into the toilet, deceptively promising to shield her from any potential punishment by her grandmother. Once inside, he locked the door, forcibly removed her pants, sexually assaulted her while covering her mouth, and subsequently brandished a knife, threatening her into silence.

This initial act of depravity marked the genesis of six years of continuous sexual abuse, terror, pain, and trauma for the young victim. In a shocking revelation, Sule later recruited two other estate guards, Adamu Yau, the second convict, and one Muhammed, who remains at large, to partake in the abuse. The trio systematically assaulted the child whenever opportunities arose, particularly when she returned from school before her parents arrived home. They reinforced their control through chilling threats to kill her and wipe out her entire family if she ever dared to speak about their heinous acts.

The victim endured this traumatic abuse in silence for approximately six years, from the age of six to twelve. The truth only began to emerge when her parents observed alarming changes in her behavior; she became visibly agitated whenever Sule entered the house and consistently refused to let him escort her to school or pick her up from the school bus. Seeking an explanation for their daughter's sudden and strange conduct, the parents took her to a prayer house. There, she finally confided in a pastor, revealing the prolonged sexual abuse by Sule, Yau, and Mohammed.

Upon hearing the harrowing confession, the parents immediately reported the matter to the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), which promptly transferred the case to NAPTIP. Following the report, Sule and Yau were swiftly arrested, and after further investigation, charges were formally filed in court on February 9, 2023. The convicts were arraigned on October 23, 2023, facing two counts under Section 1(1), punishable under Section 1(2), and Section 5 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty, leading to the commencement of the trial on December 5, 2023. The prosecution presented a compelling case with five witnesses, including the victim's mother, who delivered a tearful testimony before the court. Seven exhibits were tendered as evidence, crucially including a medical report unequivocally confirming that the victim's hymen was breached. All witnesses underwent cross-examination, reinforcing the gravity of the evidence presented. Ultimately, Honourable Justice S.M. Mayana found both men guilty of the charges.

Reacting to the judgment, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, lauded the judiciary for the landmark verdict, describing it as a clear and potent warning to all offenders across the country. Bello expressed immense satisfaction that “adequate justice which, is commensurate with the magnitude of the crime committed by the convicts, was duly served on them,” emphasizing that this would significantly assuage the pain and traumatic experience endured by the victim and her family. She highlighted that the conviction was a testament to improved strategies in enforcing the VAPP Act.

The Director General further used the medium to appeal to parents, school owners, and all stakeholders to exercise greater caution and conduct strict profiling and due diligence on all service providers, including drivers, security guards, lesson teachers, babysitters, and cooks, before employment. “It will no longer be business as usual for them,” Bello sternly declared, reinforcing NAPTIP’s commitment to combating such heinous crimes. The victim’s mother also expressed profound gratitude to NAPTIP and its legal team for ensuring that justice was served. James Sule and Adamu Yau have since been transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre, where they will serve their life sentences.