In a resounding blow to child sexual abuse in Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja sentenced 19-year-old teacher Abdullahi Abbass to life imprisonment on October 29, 2025, for the brutal anal rape of his nine-year-old male student.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) described the verdict as a “landmark judgment,” a critical milestone in the nation’s battle against sexual violence and a stark warning to potential offenders.
The case, presided over by Justice M. Osho-Adebiyi, centered on an assault that unfolded on March 19, 2025, in the Kwali Area Council.
Abbass, who taught at a private school and served as the victim’s class teacher, abused his authority after school hours.
He directed another pupil to bring the boy from home, then escorted him to a quiet street where he committed the horrific act.
The victim’s courage shone through when he immediately confided in his mother, leading to Abbass’s prompt arrest and charges on two counts of rape and sexual abuse.
Convicted under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015—which stipulates life imprisonment for such violations—the ruling underscored the judiciary’s zero-tolerance stance.
NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello praised the swift collaboration between investigators, prosecutors, and the Nigerian Police, calling it a model of efficiency in tackling domestic violence and exploitation.
“This commensurate punishment will deter others, and the offender’s name will be etched into our Sex Offenders Register,” she declared. Bello reaffirmed NAPTIP’s unwavering commitment to eradicating rape and sexual abuse across the country, urging continued public vigilance.
