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 serial rape of a six-year-old girl.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, NAPTIP’s Press and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, said the convicts were based in Abuja.
Adekoye disclosed that Justice S.M. Mayana of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 46, Apo, Abuja, sentenced the duo to life imprisonment without the option of a fine.
He said the convicts were arraigned in line with the provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act, 2015.
The spokesman added that the judgment has been widely commended by stakeholders and civil society organisations across the country.
According to Adekoye, the conviction reflects the renewed commitment of the current NAPTIP management to ensure strict implementation of the VAPP Act and deliver commensurate justice for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The victim was repeatedly raped from the age of six in 2016 until 2022 when she was 12 years old, after the matter was reported.
The victim recounted that in 2016, her grandmother hired James Sule, then their family security guard, to repair a broken toilet in their residence at Penthouse Estate, Lugbe, Abuja. While her grandmother was in the kitchen, Sule called the crying girl into the toilet, locked the door, forcibly removed her pants, raped her while covering her mouth, and threatened her with a knife not to tell anyone.
She said the sexual abuse continued for six years, causing her immense fear, pain, and trauma.
Adekoye stated that Sule later recruited two other guards in the estate — Adamu Yau (the second convict) and one Muhammed (now at large) — and they all took turns raping the girl whenever the opportunity arose, while threatening to kill her and her family if she spoke out.
The victim endured the abuse in silence for about six years until her parents noticed troubling changes in her behaviour. She became agitated whenever Sule was around and refused to let him escort her to or from school.
“In a bid to understand her sudden strange behaviour, her parents took her to a prayer house where she confided in the pastor that Sule, Yau, and Muhammed had been sexually abusing her,” Adekoye said.
The parents immediately reported the case to the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), which referred it to NAPTIP. The suspects were arrested, and charges were filed on February 9, 2023. Sule and Yau were arraigned on October 23, 2023, on a two-count charge under the VAPP Act 2015.
The convicts pleaded not guilty when their trial commenced on December 5, 2023. The prosecution presented five witnesses, including the victim’s mother, and tendered seven exhibits, including a medical report confirming that the victim’s hymen was breached.
Reacting to the judgment, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu-Bello, commended the judiciary for the landmark verdict, describing it as a strong warning to sexual offenders.
She said adequate justice had been served and urged parents and stakeholders to thoroughly profile security guards, drivers, lesson teachers, babysitters, and other service providers before engaging them.
The convicts have been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre to serve their life sentences, as directed by the court.
