The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has secured the conviction and life imprisonment of two security guards for repeatedly assaulting a young girl over a six year period in Abuja.
The convicts, James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25, were sentenced to life imprisonment without the option of fine by Justice S.M. Mayana of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 46 in Apo, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, investigations revealed that the victim was only six years old when the abuse began in 2016. The abuse reportedly continued until the matter was finally exposed in 2022.
NAPTIP disclosed that the incident started after the victim’s grandmother asked Sule, who worked as a security guard for the family, to repair a faulty toilet at their residence in Penthouse Estate, Lugbe, Abuja. While the grandmother was away, Sule allegedly lured the child into the toilet, assaulted her and threatened her with a knife to keep silent.
The agency further revealed that Sule later introduced another guard, Adamu Yau, and one Muhammed, who remains at large, into the abuse.
The victim reportedly endured years of fear and trauma before eventually opening up after her parents noticed ces in her behaviour. The case was later reported to relevant authorities and transferred to NAPTIP for investigation.
The suspects were arrested and charged to court in 2023. During the trial, prosecutors presented medical evidence and witnesses, including the victim’s mother, leading to the conviction.
NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello described the judgment as a strong warning to offenders and urged Nigerians to properly screen domestic workers and service providers before employing them.
The convicts have since been transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre to begin serving their life sentences.
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