A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdullahi Abbass, a 19-year-old teacher, to life imprisonment for raping his nine-year-old pupil, marking a significant victory in the fight against sexual violence.
Justice M. Osho–Adebiyi presided over the case and delivered the judgment on October 29th, 2025. Abdullahi Abbass, who taught at a private school in the Kwali Area Council, was found guilty of luring the child after school hours on March 19th, 2025, and committing anal rape.
According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Abdullahi sent another student to call the victim from his home before taking him to a secluded location where the assault happened. The victim later reported the abuse to his mother, leading to Abdullahi’s arrest and prosecution.
Abdullahi was arraigned on two counts of rape and sexual abuse and convicted under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, which mandates life imprisonment for such offenses.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, applauded the judiciary and law enforcement agencies for their decisive action, describing the ruling as a landmark judgment that would act as a deterrent to similar crimes. She also emphasized NAPTIP’s commitment to eliminating sexual violence in Nigeria.
The convict’s name will be added to the Sex Offenders Register, reinforcing the national effort to ensure accountability and protection for vulnerable children.This case is seen as a robust example of swift investigation, arrest, and prosecution in Nigeria’s continuing battle against domestic violence, rape, and sexual abuse.
