A magistrate court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a school proprietress and her two children at a correctional facility.
The trio, accused of subjecting a 10-year-old pupil to inhuman treatment and torture, were arraigned on a four-count charge by the Commissioner of Police.
Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi issued the remand order for Clifford Ikpikpini, 69, and her children Okeisoprugwe Ikpikpini, 34, and Okorie Ikpikpini, 37, following their arraignment.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, are facing charges bordering on inflicting injuries on the minor and infringing on his right to dignity.
The incident occurred on June 27 and 28, 2024, at Cradle of Wisdom School in Igando.
Background
On June 27, at Cradle of Wisdom School in Igando, Lagos, a 10-year-old pupil arrived late to school. He explained to the defendants -Clifford Ikpikpini (the proprietress) and her two children, Okeisoprugwe and Okorie Ikpikpini that he had difficulty securing transportation and had to walk a considerable distance before finding a bike to convey him to school.
Despite the pupil’s explanation, the defendants allegedly flogged the boy with a cane, inflicting injuries on his back, left hand, and waist. The next day, June 28, the abuse reportedly continued.
When the boy’s mother and some relatives learned of the incident, they complained to the school authorities.
In response, the school sent a text message to the mother on July 3, stating that her son had been expelled with immediate effect.
The school cited “unacceptable gross irresponsibility, indiscipline and unruliness” as reasons for the expulsion.
Furthermore, the text message declared that all of the victim’s siblings were also expelled from the school. The school additionally barred the victim from participating in an upcoming common entrance examination scheduled for that Saturday.
Following these events, the incident was reported to the police. However, when the police invited the school authorities for questioning, they refused to honor the invitation. This refusal led to the arrest of the defendants.
Court’s Decision
Magistrate Osunsanmi granted the defendants bail of ₦200,000 each, with two sureties required for each defendant.
When the defendants refused to provide their address details or give statements, the magistrate warned that she would remand them in custody until they complied.
The magistrate ordered the remand of all three defendants, Clifford Ikpikpini, Okeisoprugwe Ikpikpini, and Okorie Ikpikpini at a correctional facility pending their compliance or the fulfillment of bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case to August 29, 2024, for further proceedings.
The Chief Magistrate stated that this case should serve as a warning to other potential child abusers across Lagos State and Nigeria.
She emphasized that the Lagos government has zero tolerance for child abuse in both public and private schools. She described the case as the beginning of total cleansing of the toxic system.