The Lagos State Government has invoked the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection in response to an incident involving Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo, a teacher who assaulted a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael.
Nwadigbo, a teacher at Christ Mitots Nursery and Primary School, located at 5 Ifelodun Street, Off Yewa Road, Isawo Agric, Ikorodu, was arraigned for indecent treatment of the toddler.
She has been remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility until February 18, 2025, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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The assault was captured in a viral video on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, showing Nwadigbo repeatedly smacking the child in the face for struggling with a lesson.
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education visited the school, which has been approved since 2010.
However, the school was found to have partially closed, with students instructed to stay home until Monday, January 13, 2025.
The head teacher, Mrs. B. Adeyeri, speaking on behalf of the Proprietor, Mrs. Yomi Olutoye, explained that the closure was necessary to protect other students from harassment and to manage the public’s overwhelming response, which included individuals visiting the school to take pictures and videos.
The child involved in the incident has been referred for proper medical care.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mr. Kayode Sutton, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, emphasized that Nwadigbo’s actions violated both the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, offenses that are punishable under the law.
“Albeit, 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, his mother, Mrs. Okunlaya Adenike Fatimah, who is also a Teacher in the School and engagement with other pupils.
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