In a shocking case that has sent ripples across the Nigerian diaspora, a 28-year-old Nigerian man, Adeleke Adelani, has been handed a nine-year prison sentence in Ireland for forcing his former girlfriend to terminate her pregnancy. The incident, which occurred on Valentine's Day back in 2020, marks what is believed to be the first conviction of its kind in the Republic of Ireland.
According to court details from Letterkenny Circuit Court in County Donegal, Adelani lured his ex-girlfriend to his apartment under false pretenses. Once there, he coerced her into swallowing five misoprostol tablets—commonly used for medical abortions—while threatening her with violence. Audio recordings captured during the ordeal revealed his chilling words: "It's either you eat this or I beat that kid out of you." He then locked her in a room to ensure the process took hold.
The victim, who was nine weeks pregnant at the time, endured severe bleeding and cramps shortly after. She managed to seek medical help at a nearby hospital, where the unlawful termination was confirmed. In her powerful victim impact statement read in court, she expressed profound grief over the loss of her child, saying, "I will always grieve my child. What happened mattered. My child mattered. And justice matters." Despite the trauma, she shared that she has found some peace through her faith and has since remarried.
Judge John Aylmer, presiding over the case, described Adelani's actions as "extremely premeditated" and a grave violation. He sentenced Adelani to 11 years for the unlawful termination of the fetus, with the final two years suspended, effectively making it nine years behind bars. Additionally, Adelani received a five-year sentence for assault causing harm, with the last 12 months suspended. These sentences will run concurrently.
It's worth noting that Adelani is no stranger to the Irish justice system. He is currently serving a seven-year term for a separate offense, handed down last November, and another 21-month sentence for yet another crime. The new sentences will run consecutively to those, extending his time in prison significantly.
This case highlights the serious consequences of coercive control and reproductive violence, issues that resonate deeply in communities both in Ireland and back home in Nigeria, where abortion remains a highly contentious topic. Adelani, originally from Nigeria and a student in Letterkenny at the time, pleaded guilty to the charges earlier in the proceedings.
The Pro Life Campaign in Ireland has commended the ruling, stating that "justice has been served" in protecting vulnerable women from such abuses.