The decision of the Lagos State Government to shut down Chrisland Schools across the state amid alleged concealment of the “rape” of a 10-year-old female student has attracted the support of many Nigerians.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government announced the indefinite closure of the schools in a Monday statement.
The Herald reported that Chrisland School in Victoria Garden City (VGC) indefinitely suspended the student for being a “major participant” in an “immoral act” while in Dubai, alongside some other students, for the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022.
However, the victim’s mother in an Instagram video, denied that her daughter willingly participated in the sexual act.
She alleged that her daughter was tricked, drugged, raped, videotaped and the recording was circulated on Instagram by some male students of the school.
According to her, the school knew about the existence of the video but concealed it from her family for over a month.
She further claimed that the school took her daughter for a pregnancy test three times without her consent and threatened to kill her daughter if she disclosed any of it to her parents.
Nigerians who took to social media on Sunday and early Monday demanded an investigation into the incident.
In an apparent reaction, the state government released a statement closing the school and ordering an investigation into the incident.
“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State
Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.
“In view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and pscyho-social support is provided.
“This is to reassure members of the public of the State Government’s commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centred institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program.
“We also use this medium to remind the general public that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, commits an offence and is liable to a custodial sentence of 14 years. This includes “producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography”.
“In the meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations,” the statement read.
Many Nigerians hailed the state government’s action on Twitter.
A lawyer, Jacob Sule wrote, “The LASG took the right decision on this matter to commence swift investigation & close all Chrisland Schools in Lagos.
“It is also important to reiterate liability for anyone who shares that clip. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You’d be liable for 14yrs custodial sentence.”
Chidozie Ikeokwu wrote, “I pray Lagos state government conducts proper investigation into this case.”
Michael O’Ehuwa wrote, “I worked at Chrisland few years ago. Teachers at the VGC are especially scared of even disciplining the students cos of their parents. These parents spoil their kids massively. Who be teacher? Maybe the shutting down the schools will put everyone on their toes again.”