By Alex Olise
A school teacher, Joy Odili, has been arraigned before a magistrate court in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, and subsequently remanded, accused of physically assaulting a two year-old girl.
Reports say that a statement in a twitter handle of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency of the Lagos State Government during the week, said the accused was arrested for allegedly assaulting a two-year and three months old baby at school.
The statement said the teacher was reported to have flogged the toddler at the Unic Vilos Montessori, a private school in the Maza-Maza area of Lagos on February 7, 2022, and had failed to show remorse, but was said to be boasting thereafter.
“Following the investigation conducted by the joint team, comprising the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Department of School Social Work of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, it was disclosed that after the act, the teacher failed to express remorse; rather, she boastfully stated that she would continue to physically assault the child,” the statement emphasised.
‘During the interview, the teacher revealed that she had beaten the toddler because the child was distracting the class. As a result of the physical abuse, the toddler was referred to Amuwo Odofin General Hospital on Saturday 12th of February, 2022, and the case was reported at the Family Support Unit of Festac Police Station on Monday, 14th of February, 2022,” the statement reads
Further reports say that the school proprietress, Stella Omowela, when contacted for reaction, said that it was a family matter that had been resolved, stating that there was no need to address the issue.
The mother of the toddler, Faustina Ohamadike, confirmed the arrest of the said teacher, adding that she’s nowhere related to her, but that they are just neighbours; stressing that the case is between the school management and the government.
“I’m not related to them. I’m from Anambra State; they are from Benin. We are not related. I’m not a family to them, we are just neighbours. The case now is between them and the government,” the mother declared.
