Suspended JSS1 student Sues Ekiti Government, What She Is seeking For As Damages Will Shock You

Gift Agenoisa, a JSS1 student at Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Ado Ekiti, has sued the Ekiti State Government for breach of fundamental rights after being banned from school for alleged indiscipline and her parents’ assault on teachers.

In suit number HAD/01/CR/2021, sworn to on her behalf at the Ado Ekiti High Court by Mrs Odunayo Agenoisa, she claimed that her suspension from school by the government infringed on her rights after her parents allegedly beat up some teachers for punishing her for indecent dressing and gross indiscipline.

The plaintiff described the alleged treatment meted out to her for wearing inappropriate clothing to school as cruel and inhuman.

Joined in the suit are the School Principal, Mrs Oluwasanmi F.M (first respondent); the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye(second respondent); the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission(third respondent); and the Ekiti State Government (fourth respondent).

In the affidavit attached to the originating summons, the plaintiff claimed that she was singled out of assembly on May 22, 2021, and given 20 lashes of the cane on the order of the school principal for alleged indecent hairstyle.

The applicant sought N15 million in damages for her suspension in her originating summons, which was deposed to by her counsel, Mr Timmy Omotoso, and brought pursuant to Order 2 rules 1,3,4,5, and 6 of the fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules 2009, as preserved by Section 315 of the 1999 constitution.

The student also demanded her quick reinstatement to school, as well as unrestricted access to all services provided there.

The plaintiff claimed that the assault she received that day left her with bruises, life-threatening scars, and bloodstains on her uniform and that she fainted and was brought to the Ado Ekiti police clinic, where she was resuscitated.

She further alleged that her letters of protest to the wife of the Ekiti State Governor and certain pertinent government offices were unanswered, prompting her to take legal action to seek restitution.

The complainant went on to say that she has been denied access to the school grounds and her class on the principal’s orders ever since.

Meanwhile, the matter heard by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court on Thursday has been adjourned until September 22.

On May 22, the plaintiff’s father, also a Police Sergeant, Elijah Agenoisa, allegedly recruited four armed officers to the school to assault some instructors for scolding his daughter for wearing an obscene haircut, which violated school rules and regulations.

As a result, his daughter was suspended from school, and the Ekiti State Police Command purportedly questioned him, the outcome of which is unknown.

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