Supreme Court Upholds 12-Year Jail Term for Man Convicted of Raping 15-Year-Old Domestic Worker
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and 12-year prison sentence of 42-year-old Dauda Sani Haladu, found guilty of raping his 15-year-old domestic worker. The ruling, delivered on May 8, 2026, was hailed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) as a landmark victory in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The offence occurred in March 2017 when Haladu assaulted the victim, identified under a pseudonym as Judith James, at his residence while his family was away. He reportedly threatened her with death to silence her, but the teenager later confided in a school official, leading to NAPTIP’s intervention and prosecution.
Haladu was arraigned under Section 1(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPPA) on November 11, 2017. His conviction was upheld by the apex court, reinforcing the principle that perpetrators of sexual violence will face justice.
NAPTIP described the judgment as a strong message to offenders, reaffirming its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, especially minors and domestic workers. The ruling is seen as a significant boost to Nigeria’s efforts to combat sexual violence and uphold accountability for crimes against children.
