JSS1 student flogged for ‘indecent hairstyle’ sues Ekiti govt, demands N15m as damages

Gift Agenoisa, a JSS1 female student of Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Ado-Ekiti, has filed a lawsuit against the Ekiti state government over suspension from school for “incident hairstyle.”

According to NAN, Agenoisa has approached the state high court to demand a reversal of her suspension.

The student, in the suit sworn on her behalf before the court by Odunayo Agenoisa, claimed that her suspension from school by the government infringed on her rights.

In the suit with number HAD/01/CR/2021, the student also demanded N15 million as damages for alleged breach of her fundamental rights by the government.

She described as “cruel and inhuman,” the alleged treatment meted on her for coming to school with the alleged indecent hairstyle.

Also joined in the suit are Oluwasanmi F.M, the school principal (1st respondent), Olabimpe Aderiye, the commissioner for education (2nd), the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission (3rd), and the Ekiti state government (4th respondent).

In the affidavit attached to the originating summons, the plaintiff claimed that she was singled out of the assembly on May 22, and given 20 lashes on the order of the school principal for the alleged indecent hairstyle.

In her summons deposed by Timmy Omotoso, her counsel, and in pursuant to order 2 rules 1,3,4,5 and 6 of the fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules 2009 as preserved by section 315 of the 1999 constitution, the applicant prayed the court to ensure she is paid the N15 million damages.

She also demanded her immediate reinstatement back to school with unfettered access to all services being rendered therein.

The plaintiff claimed that the beating she got that day resulted in bruises, life-threatening scars and bloodstains on her uniform, adding that she fainted and was rushed to the police clinic in Ado-Ekiti where she was resuscitated.

She claimed further that her letters of protest to Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ekiti governor, and some relevant government agencies were not responded to.

This, she said, informed her decision to seek redress through legal action.

The plaintiff also alleged that she was being denied access to the school premises and her class on the orders of the principal since then.

NAN reported that Elijah, the student’s father and a police sergeant, allegedly mobilised four armed policemen to the school in May to “manhandle some of the teachers.”

The development had come after the teachers reportedly scolded his daughter who was said to have come to school with an indecent hairdo against the school’s rules and regulation.