Wale Jagun
The Lagos State Government on Friday evoked the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection against Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo, a teacher, who assaulted a three-year-old pupil, Master Abayomi Michael.
Nwadigbo, who is a teacher at Christ Mitots Nursery and Primary School, 5, Ifelodun Street, Off Yewa Road, Isawo Agric, Ikorodu, has been arraigned for indecent treatment of the toddler and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility till February 18, 2025, awaiting the Director, Public Prosecution’s legal advise.
The was seen indecently assaulting the three-year old pupil in a viral video during the week, byb smacking repeatedly for unable to write correctly.
The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in its fact-finding mission, visited the School, which was approved in 2010, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, but discovered it was partially self-shut down and pupils asked to stay back at home till Monday, January 13, 2025.
In her reaction, the Head Teacher, Mrs. B. Adeyeri, on behalf of the Proprietor, Rev (Mrs.) O.N Olutoye confirmed the need to protect other pupils from harassment and uncontrollable visits/ pressure from the public, who had been visiting the school premises for pictures/videos, which necessitated the temporary closure of the school.
Kayode Sutton, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary, in a statement, stated that Master Abayomi Michael had been referred for adequate medical attention, and Mrs Nwadigbo was arrested and subsequently remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025, awaiting the Director, Public Prosecution’s legal advise.
By her action, Mrs Stella Nwadigbo has contravened the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, which are punishable offences under the law.
Albeit, the investigation continues on Monday, January 13, 2025, which requires the attention of the School proprietor, Mrs O. N. Olutoye, the Head Teacher, Mrs B. Adeyeri, the Survivor, Master Abayomi Michael and his mother, Mrs Okunlaya Adenike Fatimah, who is also a teacher in the School.
