An Upper Area Court I sitting in Ganye Local Government Area, Adamawa State, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, convicted and sentenced a father, Jediel Sylvester, to 30 years imprisonment on three count offences, including impregnating his daughter.
Charges and Plea
Sylvester was brought before the court on a criminal complaint alleging the offences of incest, criminal intimidation, and assault. He pleaded guilty, blaming the act on lust, and was remanded by the court.
Sentencing Details
The upper area court, presided over by Hon. Kabiru Musa, convicted and sentenced the defendant on the offence of incest to 15 years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N500,000, pursuant to Section 377 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018. On the offence of criminal intimidation, Hon. Kabiru sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N250,000, pursuant to Section 383 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018. On the offence of assault, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment without an option of fine, pursuant to Section 242(b) of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
Consecutive Sentences and Right of Appeal
According to the judge, the sentences shall run consecutively. He further pronounced that the defendant has the constitutional right of appeal against the judgment to the High Court of Adamawa State within 30 days from the day of judgment.
Court’s Reasoning
While delivering his judgment, Hon. Kabiru stated that being mindful that a conviction based on a plea of guilty, particularly in a grave offence of this nature, must be approached with utmost caution. The court, in compliance with the law, directed the Prosecuting Counsel, Abdulrahman Njidda Esq., to call evidence in corroboration of the plea of guilty, hence the calling of the victim.
The judge said that most disturbing was the testimony of the victim that the defendant habitually beat, intimidated, and forced her into sexual intercourse whenever he desired. Hon. Kabiru held that the testimony of the victim remained clear, direct, and consistent and fully corroborated the defendant’s voluntary plea of guilty.
"Having carefully considered the statement of complaint, the unequivocal plea of guilty entered by the defendant, the oral testimony of the victim in corroboration thereof, and the entire record before the court, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt as required by law," the judge said.
"A plea of guilty, once voluntarily made and corroborated where necessary, constitutes the strongest evidence against an accused person. In the instant case, there exists not only the defendant’s confession in open court but also credible testimony from the victim herself, leaving no room for doubt as to the defendant’s criminal responsibility," Kabiru stated.
Judge’s Remarks on Betrayal of Trust
He declared that the case represents one of the gravest forms of betrayal known to both law and humanity, saying parenthood is a sacred trust imposed by nature.
"Accordingly, I find the defendant, Jediel Sylvester, guilty and he is hereby convicted for the offences of Incest, Criminal Intimidation and Assault contrary to Sections 367, 382 and 242 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018," the judge declared.
