Namitira Bwala, a student at Lead British International School in Abuja, has filed a legal lawsuit against the school’s management.
She claimed that the school failed to fulfill its commitment to provide her with a safe and suitable learning environment.
There was fury on social media a few weeks ago after a video surfaced showing the alleged bullying of a female student at Lead British International School in Abuja by her peers.
An X user, @mooyeeeeeee, wrote in an SOS post accompanied by two videos that the female student had been bullied and that she is seeking justice for her.
The episode had sparked national interest, with stakeholders and members of the public expressing their opinions.
The complaint was brought on May 9, 2024, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja by her lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq., of Deji Adeyanju & Partners.
In the lawsuit FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: Miss Namtira Bwala Vs Lead British International School Ltd, Bwala seeks a public apology, publication in two national daily, and ₦500 million in general damages. The case was filed by Writ of Summons.
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 Claimant in two national daily newspapers.
“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of ₦500,000,000.00 (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 ₦5,000,000 (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.“
Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, the Counsel for the claimant, Marvin Omorogbe Esq, expressed optimism that the lawsuit will bring about drastic changes and adequate measures to prevent similar issues from reoccurring in the school.
According to the statement, the Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, is being sued following a viral video which showed a student being bullied by her classmates.
The victim’s family stated that the school had failed in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment, resulting in the victim’s experience.
At the moment, a date for the hearing of the lawsuit has not been scheduled.
