‘Condom infection’: Rights group demands closure, probe of FCT school over student’s death

The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), a civil society group, has demanded the immediate closure of Premiere Academy in Lugbe, Abuja over the death of its pupil from alleged sexual assault.

TheCable Lifestyle had reported how the 14-year-old student passed away in controversial circumstances while she was being hospitalised at Queens Clinic, Abuja.

Vihimga Akpagher, the deceased’s mother, had earlier alleged that her daughter died from an infection after a condom was found in her private parts.

In a statement on Wednesday by Frank Tietie, its executive director, the group condemned the manner in which the teenager died.

The group also said it is unfortunate that despite allegation that the pupil was raped while she was still in the custody of the school, nothing has been done to bring its management and staff to book.

“The said pupil was allegedly raped while she was in the custody of her School, Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja. Under the legal principles of in loco parentis and occupier’s liability, the school is expected to take full responsibility for what happened to the girl-child that was under its custody,” it read.

“Sadly, the school has been engaged in prevarications and public relations stunts to the chagrin of many members of the Nigerian public.

“There is an on-going criminal investigation that is supposed to focus on the management of the school with its staff on the circumstances under which the girl was raped and later died from complications resulting from the rape owing to the initial inactions of the school with its attempt to conceal the gravity of attack on the girl that was in its custody.”

It also alleged complicity on the part of the federal capital territory (FCT) police command to ensure proper investigation is done into the matter.

The group called on the minister of education; minister of women’s affairs; executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the attorney-general of the federation to shut the school for “gross negligence.”

It also urged the relevant ministries to immediately set up an inter-agency panel of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of the female student.

CASER said the measure became imperative considering the fact that  “there have been reports of earlier events of rape and other sexual offences against children that have happened in that same school.”

“CASER will not hesitate to take out independent legal action by way of application for an Order of Mandamus to compel the relevant ministries or agencies of government to take proper action to hold the school accountable and put measures in place to prevent such reoccurrences of rape of minors who are in the custody of educational institutions,” it added.

The school had earlier dismissed claims by the student’s mother that she was denied custody of her daughter when she was sick.

It also denied reports that the late pupil was raped and demanded probe of the hospital where she breathed her last.