The Lagos State Government has evoked the Child Rights Act and the Lagos State Policy on Safeguarding and Child Protection against Mrs. Stella Nwadigbo, a Teacher at Christ Mitots Nursery and Primary School, 5, Ifelodun Street, Off Yewa Road, Isawo Agric, Ikorodu, for indecent treatment of a toddler and pupil of the School, Master Abayomi Michael.
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. However, it was discovered that it had partially self-shut down, and pupils were asked to stay home until 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.
Meanwhile, Master Abayomi Michael has 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 of Public Prosecution’s legal advice.
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 offenses 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, his mother, Mrs. Okunlaya Adenike Fatimah, who is also a Teacher in the School and engagement with other pupils
