Abuja Court Sentences Young Man to Public Flogging for Fighting Prostitute

On June 18, 2025, a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse 6, Abuja, delivered a rare and controversial sentence: a young man, unnamed in court proceedings, was found guilty of engaging in a physical altercation with a commercial sex worker and was ordered to receive 15 strokes of the cane in public. The ruling, delivered by Magistrate Farida Ibrahim, has provoked widespread condemnation from legal experts, human rights advocates, and activists alike.

 The accused was brought before the court after confessing to police that he “engaged in a physical confrontation with a woman identified as a commercial sex worker.

No legal representation was present for the defendant; the judgment was based entirely on his admission during police interrogation. No independent witness testimony or corroborating evidence was provided.

Following the confession, Magistrate Ibrahim ruled that the offence constituted a public disturbance, justifying a corporal punishment rarely seen in modern Nigerian courts.

Eyewitness activists, including Omoyele Sowore – the former presidential candidate – were in attendance and expressed shock at the “immediate caning” within court premises.

Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act permits flogging in certain contexts (e.g., caning boys under 17), but the application of corporal punishment to adults remains legally murky and seldom enforced.

Critics note that forcing a sentence based solely on confession—without legal representation or corroborating evidence—may contravene constitutional protections under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which forbids torture or “inhuman or degrading treatment.”

This case echoes similar judgments in Kano State: in 2022, two TikTokers were sentenced to 20 cane strokes and community service for defamation—a ruling condemned for infringing on freedom of expression.

Unlike many Western jurisdictions that prohibit corporal punishment, Nigeria’s Criminal Code does allow caning in some circumstances—particularly for juveniles—but lacks clarity on its use for adult public flogging.

The Kano 2022 case highlights a troubling precedent: courts invoking caning and immediate punishment for individuals—often within the same courtroom—raising national debates on due process and judicial overreach.

Omoyele Sowore described the sentencing as "shocking," highlighting the absence of legal counsel and the apparent lack of due process. Human rights organizations have condemned the ruling, labeling it “inhuman,” and urged government and judiciary actors to reassess the appropriateness of corporal punishment in modern court settings. Legal experts argue that publicly caning an adult based solely on confession may constitute degrading treatment, in conflict with constitutional and human rights standards. Appeals may challenge the legality of the sentence, citing constitutional protections against cruelty, or raise concerns over procedural fairness. Civil society advocates are likely to increase calls for reform—emphasizing the need for public trials, legal representation, and alignment with international human rights conventions.