By Folajimi Anisulowo, Lagos
A senior secondary student in a private in Lagos State has been narrating how her school proprietor sexually assaulted and harassed her in his office, reports The Gazelle News.com.
The female student (names withheld), narrated that the proprietor of Megland Comprehensive School, Mr Emmanuel Madueke, invited her to his office on 26 May, 2021 when the school was celebrating its Children’s Day, advanced towards her and kissed her on her lips.
“I was able to push him away and ran out of his office and since then I’ve been keeping my distance from the proprietor,” the girl narrated.
The Lagos State Government, through the State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) thus effected the arrest of the proprietor.
According to Coordinator of the Lagos State DSVRT, Vivour-Adeniyi Titilola, the act contravenes the Child’s Rights law 2015 as well as the Criminal Law of Lagos State, particularly, Sections 135, (Indecent treatment of a child) as well as 263, Sexual Assault.
Titilola, explained that a team comprising officers of Office of Education Quality, Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the DSVRT visited the school, based on the State Government’s Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme, 2016 and arrested the suspect.
According to Titilola, further investigations revealed that the affected child may not be the only student to have fallen victim of sexual harassment in the hands of the alleged perpetrator.
It was further alleged that Madueke tactically grooms the female students who become acquainted with him promising educational advancement as a reward.
Reacting to the allegations, the suspect claimed that his action was an innocent gesture on the student’s cheek.
Meanwhile, the team has however, reported the case to Ilasan Police Division with investigation ongoing by the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command.
The state government has however, reiterated its commitment in ensuring protection of children from all forms of sexual and gender based violence warning that no form of sexual and gender based violence would be tolerated in the state.
