Adamawa Man Remanded for Sexual Abuse That Left Daughter Pregnant
A 46-year-old man has been remanded in prison custody after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of his 14-year-old daughter, which led to her getting pregnant.
This appeared a convenient time to make sure that all the charges were considered, as Jediel Sylvester appeared in court on Tuesday in Upper Area Court No.1 in Ganye, where he pled guilty to incest, criminal intimidation and assault. He was placed under house arrest while his case was pending.
The abuse surfaced when the victimised girl mentioned the stoppage of her menstrual cycle to her uncle, according to the court. She was found to be three months pregnant by medical examination. The child, when confronted, admitted that her father was threatening and physically abusing her.
Mohammed Audi, the uncle, told the court that Sylvester had initially pressured the affected girl into scribing the names of others as being responsible for the pregnancy, but later suggested abortion which she declined.
Child protection workers are urging that this is a cautionary tale about how children are endangered at home. The Adamawa State Government has been advised to beef up child protection protocols and act on those in possession of child sexual abuse materials to face justice to the full extent of the law.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing and the prosecution is ongoing under Penal Code Law of Adamawa State. Now the affected child is under medical and psychosocial care.
