
The Digest:
A 28-year-old Nigerian man, Adeleke Adelani, has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Ireland for forcing his ex-girlfriend to terminate her pregnancy on Valentine's Day 2020. Adelani lured the woman to his home in Letterkenny under the pretence of supporting her pregnancy, then forced her to take five abortion pills and locked her in a bedroom. Judge John Aylmer described the actions as "extremely premeditated," noting Adelani had researched termination methods while knowing the woman wanted to keep her baby. The victim, now 26, stated in court: "He took my child. He took my sense of safety. He took a future that I had already begun to plan and love." Adelani pleaded guilty to unlawfully ending a foetus's life and assault. He is currently serving 5½ years for another crime, with the new sentences running consecutively.
Key Points:
- The case highlights the severe legal consequences of reproductive coercion and violence.
- It demonstrates Ireland's stringent application of its termination of pregnancy laws.
- The victim gains justice, while Adelani faces extended imprisonment.
- This signals that such crimes will be prosecuted with the utmost severity.
- The timing, with consecutive sentences, ensures significant prison time.
Nigerian man Adeleke Adelani gets nine years in Irish prison for forcing ex-girlfriend to abort, with the judge citing "extremely premeditated" cruelty.
Sources: Irish Court Service