In a jaw-dropping courtroom verdict that’s captured national attention, a 19-year-old teacher in Abuja, Abdullahi Abbass, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old male pupil.
The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), presided over by Justice M. Osho-Adebiyi, handed down the ruling — with no option of fine — after convicting him on two counts of rape and sexual abuse.
The verdict, delivered on October 29, 2025, marks one of the most severe punishments in recent memory for crimes against children in Nigeria.
Abbass was employed at a school in the Kwali Area Council of Abuja and acted as the class teacher of the victim.
On March 19, 2025, after school hours, he allegedly sent another student to call the victim from his home.
He lured the boy down the street and sexually assaulted him by anal rape.
Despite threats, the child reported the crime to his mother. Authorities were alerted, the teacher was arrested by police, and the case was transferred to NAPTIP (the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) for prosecution.
He was charged under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act) — specifically Section 2 — which criminalizes rape and sexual abuse.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, hailed the ruling as a “landmark judgment” — one that sends a strong warning to would-be offenders.
She confirmed the convict’s name will be added to the Sex Offenders Register and emphasized the institution’s renewed push to prosecute cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse swiftly.
In a press statement, NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, underscored that the speed of investigation, arrest, and prosecution reflects a commitment to combat such heinous crimes.
News outlets across Nigeria — from The Guardian to Vanguard, Punch, TVC News, SaharaReporters, The Nation — covered the story extensively, emphasizing both the severity of the crime and the symbolic importance of the harsh sentence.
For many Nigerians, the case has become emblematic of the urgent need for child protection, school oversight, and legal reforms to deter future acts. Social media threads are already trending under themes of justice, safety of children, and accountability in the educational system.
A life sentence without the option of fine is among the harshest possible punishments—meant to send a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated.
The ruling strengthens the application of the VAPP Act in prosecuting sexual offenses against minors and could encourage more rigorous enforcement.
The case reflects enhanced collaboration between law enforcement, NAPTIP, and the judiciary — a model for handling sensitive cases.
Swift action and a firm sentence can bolster public trust in institutions responsible for safeguarding the vulnerable.