FCT Court Sentences 19-Year-Old Teacher to Life Imprisonment for Raping Nine-Year-Old Pupil

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has handed a life sentence to a 19-year-old teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, after finding him guilty of raping his nine-year-old pupil’s ruled that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) described as a major milestone in its campaign against sexual violence.

According to a statement released on Saturday via X (formerly Twitter) by Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s National Press Officer, the judgment was delivered by Justice M. Osho-Adebiyi of the FCT High Court.

Abbass, who taught at a private school in the Kwali Area Council, reportedly lured the victim on March 19, 2025, after school hours. NAPTIP explained that the convict sent another pupil to fetch the child from home, took him to a nearby location, and raped him through the anus.

The  offender, who was the class teacher of the child, sent for the victim after school hours and took him to his residence area, where he sexually assaulted the boy.

Part  of the statement readThe victim later informed his mother about the assault, prompting her to alert authorities. Abbass was subsequently arrested and charged with rape and sexual abuse.

Following his trial, the court convicted him on October 29, 2025, under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, which mandates life imprisonment for such offenses.

Reacting to the verdict, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, applauded the judiciary and all partners involved for ensuring justice was served.

This is a landmark judgment that delivers an appropriate punishment for the crime. It will serve as a deterrent to others, and the offender’s name will be entered into our Sex Offenders Register, Bello stated.

She further commended the Nigeria Police Force for its collaboration and highlighted that the prompt investigation and prosecution reflected NAPTIP is strengthened resolve to combat rape, domestic violence, and sexual abuse nationwide.

Bello reiterated the agency is commitment to protecting victims and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are held accountable under the law.