ONE DEATH; TO0 MANY
Death of Boarding Student of Premier Academy Lugbe; Our Statement
On the 30th of June 2021, news surfaced that a 14-year-old pupil of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, died of an infection after a used condom was found in her private part.
The SS1 pupil, Karen-Happuch Akpagher, was believed to have been sexually abused before she was withdrawn from school by her mother, Mrs. Vihimga Akpagher, on June 19, 2021, for treatment. Karen, however, sadly died two days later at a hospital in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.
The school responded in a press release saying the allegations are unfounded and investigation is ongoing. The school seems to posit that the child died due to a health condition (Diabetes) with which she has been diagnosed since age 9.
Unconfirmed reports from a group; Coalition of Gender-Based Violence Responders state that there has been a preliminary autopsy update that matches up with the account of the mother of the deceased; Sexual intercourse and Sodomy were reported to be the causes of death, according to the autopsy.
While the facts of the cause of death may not be totally clear, one clear and sad fact is that the child is dead.
We commensurate greatly with the Akpagher Family and we are so sad that they are having to experience this, especially as the death of the child was avoidable.
In the event that steps have not been taken to ascertain the cause of death, It is very imperative that a Coroner Enquiry be carried out in order to find the cause of death. Under section 4(1) of the Coroners Law Cap 131 of 1954, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, magistrates are empowered to conduct inquests under the ordinance. The law allows any interested party to request for this enquiry in any case where it is believed that it is necessary to find the cause of death. This is definitely a case where such enquiry is needed. We also believe that the police is best placed for this assignment as they are expected to be investigating the matter now.
According to the Mrs. Akpagher, she had received a frantic call from her daughter a few days before her death, asking her to come withdraw her from the school because she was not feeling well and the child cried and insisted that her mum came to pick her even when her mother turned back due to administrative bottleneck she experienced in the school.
While we cannot make categorical statements on the negligence or otherwise of the school or the deceased’s caregivers pending the finalization of investigation, we are guided by our research spanning over 22 years in this space that all deaths relating to children in the school system has been avoidable, had there been better coping capacity and a protection system in the school.
Our Message to Schools
It is important to state that the school is a place where children should be and feel safe and not face harm or be abused, talk more of experiencing death in the school where they are meant to be protected. Protection however does not respond to our desire or wishful thinking. It answers to systems and policies that will be implemented.
We, therefore, urge schools to invest heavily in setting up a system to protect children. A school’s defense in situations where the safety of children has been jeopardized is in the fact that the school has put in place the right policies to secure a friendly and protective environment for children. This is important not just for response to abuse but to achieve the primary aim of the school – the protection of children.
Our Message to Government
We urge the government to ensure that this matter will be seen to the end and everyone who is found to be culpable are brought to book in accordance with the law. More importantly, we call on the government to invest in mechanisms that will enforce the existence and implementation of child protection systems and specialized policies for specialized institutions like boarding schools.
Our Message to Parents
We also implore parents to do the following:
- Ask salient Child Protection minded questions before registering children in schools, especially in boarding schools where the school provided primary care for the child.
- Ascertain that it is necessary and in the best interest of the child to put the child in a boarding facility.
- Talk to their children always about our Every Part is Private to me (EPP2ME) rules and always be sensitive and listen to their precious children through verbal and non-verbal ways they communicate
- Reach out to professionals for capacity building and guidance.
Our Message to You
The impact of abuse of any form on our precious children is eternal except for divine intervention, we therefore all have to make a conscious effort to see that all children around you are protected. Every child is your child and every child matters.
Olabisi AFOLABI (Ms)
Program Officer
S.A.F.E® for Children Society