Former Chief Pharmacist of National Hospital Abuja Sentenced to Life in Jail for Sodomy

Abuja, September 20, 2023 – In a historic and landmark ruling, the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured a life imprisonment sentence against a former Chief Pharmacist of National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Abubakar Mustapha Danraka, for the crime of sodomy. This ruling, delivered at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, marks a significant step in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015.

The conviction, presided over by Hon. Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf at the High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, has put an end to a three-year-old controversy surrounding this high-profile case, which had garnered nationwide attention.

The case dates back to March 27th, 2020 when the convict, Abubakar Mustapha Danraka, was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons. The victim was Danraka’s neighbor and lived in the same estate in Abuja. It was revealed that the perpetrator lured the minor into his apartment, where he administered a stupefying drink and subsequently engaged in anal intercourse.

After being charged on August 9th, 2021, and arraigned on April 5th, 2022, where he pleaded “not guilty,” the prosecution team from NAPTIP diligently presented its case, proving the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This compelling evidence led to the judgment on September 18, 2023, resulting in Dr. Abubakar Mustapha Danraka’s life imprisonment sentence under Section 1 of the VAPP Act of 2015.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri – Azi, expressed her commendation for the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice under the VAPP Act. She stated, “This is a victory for us as a country. In our bid to make Nigeria a violence–free nation, in collaboration with all our esteemed partners and stakeholders, we will continue to scale our efforts in ensuring more convictions and less impunity.”

This case represents the third rape conviction secured by NAPTIP in the Federal Capital Territory for the year 2023, highlighting the agency’s dedication to combating gender-based violence and ensuring justice for victims.