The Lagos state government has evoked the Child Rights Act (CRA) and Policy on Safeguarding child protection against Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo, a Teacher at Christ Mitots Nursery and Primary School, 5, Ifelodun Street, Off Yewa Road, Isawo Agric, Ikorodu in Lagos.
The government stated that the decision followed the indecent treatment of a toddler and pupil of the school, Master Abayomi Michael, in the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary, Kayode Sutton, who disclosed that Mrs. Nwadigbo was seen unlawfully and indecently assaulting the three-year old pupil in a viral video on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, aggressively smacking the child in the face repeatedly for struggling with a lesson.
“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 harassments and uncontrollable visits or pressure from the public, who had been visiting the school premises for pictures and videos, which necessitated the temporary closure of the school.
Meanwhile, Master Abayomi Michael has been referred for adequate medical attention and Mrs. Nwadigbo arrested and subsequently remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025, awaiting the Director, Public Prosecution’s legal advice.
By her action, he added that Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo had contravened the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection, which are punishable offences 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 and his mother, Mrs. Okunlaya Adenike Fatimah, who is also a teacher in the school.
