Update: Bullied Student Drags Lead British School, Abuja To Court, Seeks N500m Damages Among Others
The female student of Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, who was bullied by another student has dragged the school before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
The bullied student, Ms. Namtira Bwala, is suing the school for allegedly failing to protect her from bullies and subsequent cover-up of the incident, TheGuardian reports.
The suit was filed on May 9, 2024, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja through her lawyer Marvin Omorogbe, Esq, Founding Partner for Deji Adeyanju and Partners.
You will recall that Namtira was slapped repeatedly by a female student named Mariam Hassan and the video sparked outrage across social media platforms some days ago.
Subsequently, the school authorities issued a statement claiming it was investigating the incident and taking all necessary steps to address it while the Federal Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development also waded into the matter.
The bully, Maryam tendered a public apology to the victim and the public through a viral video message.
However, apparently dissatisfied, Namitra Bwala, a minor and suing through her guardian, Mr. Daniel Madu Bwala, has now approached the FCT High Court for restitution, accusing the Lead British International School of negligence and cover-up of the incident.
According to the court documents, Namitra is seeking a total N505m in damages against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, for failing in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for her while under its custody and care.
The damages include N500m damage against the school for failing in its duty to provide protection and care for her, N5million cost of litigation, and a public apology in two national dailies.
She claimed among others,
“A declaration that by virtue of the Claimant’s studentship in the Defendant’s school, Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, the Defendant owes the Claimant a duty of care to protect her from any physical or emotional harm as well as any breach of her privacy while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain and trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to immediately inform the Claimant’s parents of the assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to cause an immediate investigation into the physical assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under its Custody and Supervision, until the video of the incident became viral on social media, amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.
“An order directing the Defendant to issue a public apology to the Clamant in two national daily newspapers.
“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the Defendant’s breach of the duty of care it owes to the Claimant, and its negligent conduct in failing to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain, trauma and breach of privacy suffered by the Claimant while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.
“Cost of this suit at N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira).
“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant post judgment interest on the sum(s) awarded at the rate of 10% per annum from the date of the delivery of judgment until the judgment is fully and finally settled.
“Such orders or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”