- A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced 19-year-old teacher Abdullahi Abbass to life imprisonment for abusing a nine-year-old pupil in Kwali. Justice Osho Adebiyi found him guilty under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
- The offence occurred in March 2025 after Abbass lured the victim from home.
- NAPTIP hailed the ruling as a major victory against child abuse, with DG Binta Bello praising the judiciary and police for swift action, adding that Abbass’ name will be listed in the Sex Offenders Register.
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 19-year-old school teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, to life imprisonment for abusing a nine-year-old pupil in the Kwali Area Council.
The verdict, delivered by Justice Osho Adebiyi, followed a two-count charge bordering on child abuse and assault under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
In a statement released on Saturday, the National Press Officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, described the ruling as another major victory in the agency’s fight against gender-based and child-related violence in Nigeria.
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According to reports, Abbass, who served as a class teacher at a private school in Kwali, committed the offence on March 19, 2025, after school hours. He allegedly sent another pupil to call the victim from home, took him to the street where he lived, and then carried out the act.
Despite being threatened to remain silent, the young pupil reported the incident to his mother, which led to Abbass’ arrest by the police and the subsequent handover of the case to NAPTIP for prosecution.
Justice Adebiyi found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment on October 29, 2025, describing his actions as “inhumane and inexcusable.”
Reacting to the development, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Bello, praised the judiciary and security agencies for their swift handling of the case.
She said, “This is a landmark judgment that delivers the right punishment for the offender. It will serve as a deterrent, and his name will be added to the Sex Offenders Register.”
Bello commended the speedy investigation and inter-agency collaboration, adding that it reflected NAPTIP’s renewed resolve to curb domestic violence and all forms of child abuse in Nigeria.
“I thank the judiciary for the judgment and the Nigeria Police for their strong cooperation in ensuring justice,” she said.
