Abuja court jails two security guards for life for raping boss’ minor daughter for six years
Two security guards, James Sule (30) and Adamu Yau (25), have been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for the repeated sexual abuse of a minor over six years.
The judgment was delivered by Justice S.M. Mayana, who convicted the defendants without the option of a fine under provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
How the case began
According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the incident began in 2016 when the victim, then six years old, was living with her family in Lugbe, Abuja.
One of the suspects, who served as a security guard in the residential estate, allegedly lured the child into a vulnerable situation inside the family residence before assaulting her. He was also said to have threatened her to prevent disclosure of the abuse.
Alleged repeated exploitation
NAPTIP further alleged that the abuse continued over several years and involved additional suspects, including another guard, Adamu Yau, while a third suspect identified as Mohammed remains at large.
The agency said the child was repeatedly threatened and intimidated, which kept her silent for years despite ongoing abuse.
Discovery and investigation
The case reportedly came to light after the victim began exhibiting behavioural changes that alarmed her parents.
She was taken to a church where the minor disclosed to the pastor what she had been going through for six years. The pastor advised that the matter be escalated to the relevant authorities.
The case was subsequently reported to the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) before being transferred to NAPTIP for investigation. The suspects were later arrested and formally charged in court in 2023.
During the trial, the prosecution called multiple witnesses, including the victim’s mother, and tendered medical evidence indicating sexual assault.
Court ruling
After reviewing the evidence presented, the court found both defendants guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
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