The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the 12-year prison sentence imposed on Dauda Sani Haladu for the rape of his 15-year-old domestic help in Abuja. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced this on Monday, May 11, 2026, calling it a landmark victory in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
Case Background
The conviction and sentencing were originally handed down in 2021 by an FCT High Court in Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice M.A. Nasir. The Supreme Court's final judgment was delivered on May 8, 2026, affirming the lower court's decision.
According to NAPTIP's statement, the incident occurred on March 11, 2017, when the 42-year-old convict took advantage of his wife and children's absence to forcefully assault the victim, identified as Judith James (a pseudonym to protect her identity), at their residence. After the assault, the convict threatened the victim's life to ensure her silence.
Despite the intimidation, the victim eventually confided in a school official, which led to NAPTIP's intervention and the arraignment of the defendant on November 11, 2017, under Section 1(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPPA).
NAPTIP's Reaction
NAPTIP emphasized that this final judgment serves as a stern reminder that the law is patient but persistent. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of violence, especially against vulnerable domestic workers and children, face the full weight of justice.
This ruling underscores the importance of legal accountability in cases of sexual violence and sends a strong message to offenders that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
