A Family Court in Aba, Abia State, has sentenced a 30-year-old security guard to prison for sexually abusing a 10-year-old pupil at Radiant Glory Academy in Umuichichi. The convict, identified as Chidiebere Kalu, was handed the sentence on August 5, 2026 by the Magistrate Court sitting on family matters.
The case came to light after the child’s family reported the incident, which was alleged to have occurred within the school premises. Authorities subsequently charged Kalu and pursued the matter through the legal system to ensure accountability for the abuse of a minor under his care.
The court found Kalu guilty on two separate charges: indecent assault and causing fear in a child. For the first charge, he received a one-year jail term without the option of a fine. On the second charge, he was given another one-year sentence with an option to pay N200,000 in fines. The judge ruled that both prison terms will run at the same time.
Child rights organizations in the state welcomed the ruling. The Vivacious Development Initiative, working with the Child Protection Network in Abia, described the conviction as a significant step forward in the fight to protect children from abuse in schools and other institutions.
They noted that the judgment sends a clear message that perpetrators will face consequences.The case has also renewed calls for stricter safeguarding measures in schools across the state. Advocates say institutions must strengthen background checks, supervision, and reporting channels to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of pupils while on school grounds.
