A
Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the proprietress of CendomInternational Nursery and
Primary School, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, Mrs Uche Owen, to pay N25 million as
damages to a 5-year-old pupil of the school, Destiny Kalu who became blind
after he was flogged for not paying school fees.
Destiny
had through his father, Inyima Kalu, dragged Mrs Owen and his class teacher,
Miss Uduak Sam before the court in 2013 for flogging and inflicting severe
injuries to his right eyes over non-payment of school fees.
In
his statement of claim, Destiny alleged that on June 20, 2011, Mrs Owen came to
his classroom and flogged all the pupils that had not paid their school fees.
He stated that the proprietress further instructed their class teacher, Miss Uduak to flog them severely.
He stated that the proprietress further instructed their class teacher, Miss Uduak to flog them severely.
Destiny
claimed that while being flogged, his right eye was covered with blood as a
result of cane injury inflicted on him by the teacher.
He
said the incident left him in pains and tears for several hours unattended to
in the schooI premises.
Destiny
further claimed that his class teacher neglected him as he bled internally and
water gushed out of his right eye all through the school hours, until he was
picked up at the close of school by his father after every staff of the school
had abandoned him and gone home.
Destiny
was subsequently taken to Ajeromi General Hospital Lagos where he was treated
and later referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
At LUTH, the right eye was operated on without success. Doctor’s report revealed that Destiny’s right eye was permanently damaged and cannot perceive light as a result of severe internal damage.
At LUTH, the right eye was operated on without success. Doctor’s report revealed that Destiny’s right eye was permanently damaged and cannot perceive light as a result of severe internal damage.
Following
the permanent injury sustained by Destiny, his father demanded N30 million as
compensation from the school.
In
her statement to the Nigeria Police after the incident, Miss Uduak admitted
that she punished the infant by caning him on the instruction of the principal,
Mrs Owen.
However,
in her statement of defence, Uduak claimed that Destiny may have sustained the
injury on his right eye during a fight with another pupil in the school.
The proprietress also denied being responsible for the injuries sustained by Destiny.
The proprietress also denied being responsible for the injuries sustained by Destiny.
Delivering
judgment in the matter after six years of trial, Justice Yetunde Idowu held the
two defendants liable for the permenant injury.
Justice
Idowu held that the defendants owe a duty of care to Destiny but breached that
duty by flogging and inflicting injury on him.
She
said: “Caning a child for non-payment of fees is not only wrongful but illegal.
It is trite and universally accepted that caning a child does not have positive
effect. Flogging is an abuse of a child and domestic violence against a child.
It should be discouraged completely as it is contrary to all known best
practices and unacceptable.
“The
child was under the custody of the 1st Defendant, in her school premises. The
1st and 2nd Defendants, the owner of the school and the class teacher owe a
duty of care to the child. The duty of care was breached when the 2nd Defendant
on the instruction of the 1st Defendant engaged in flogging the child.
“Vicarious
liability basically means that employers are liable for the torts of their
employees, committed during the course of employment. A tort is a wrongful act
or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to legal
liability.
“Damages
in the sum of N25 million is awarded in favour of the infant suing by the next
of kin.”
- Channelstv
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