BREAKING: Bullied Nigerian Student Sues Lead British School, Seeks N500 Million Damages

Namtira Bwala, a student of Lead British International School, Abuja bullied by her colleagues in the school, has filed a civil suit against the school management for failing in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for her.

The suit was filed on May 9, 2024, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja through her lawyer Marvin Omorogbe, Esq, Founding Partner for Deji Adeyanju and Partners.

Bwala in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: Miss Namtira Bwala Vs Lead British International School Ltd which commenced by way of Writ of Summons is seeking among others a public apology that would be published on two national dailies and N500 million in general damages.

She claimed among others, “A declaration that by virtue of the Claimant’s studentship in the Defendant’s school, Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, the Defendant owes the Claimant a duty of care to protect her from any physical or emotional harm as well as any breach of her privacy while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.

“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain and trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.

“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to immediately inform the Claimant’s parents of the assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.

“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to cause an immediate investigation into the physical assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under its Custody and Supervision, until the video of the incident became viral on social media, amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.

“An order directing the Defendant to issue a public apology to the Clamant in two national daily newspapers.

“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the Defendant’s breach of the duty of care it owes to the Claimant, and its negligent conduct in failing to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain, trauma and breach of privacy suffered by the Claimant while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.

“Cost of this suit at N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira).

“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant post judgment interest on the sum(s) awarded at the rate of 10% per annum from the date of the delivery of judgment until the judgment is fully and finally settled.

“Such orders or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the Counsel for the claimant, Marvin Omorogbe Esq in a statement on Monday, expressed optimism that the law suit will bring about drastic changes and adequate measures to prevent a reoccurrence of similar issues in the school.

According to the statement, the civil suit was instituted against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, following the viral video released on the internet a few weeks ago where their client was seen being bullied by her fellow students.

The victim’s family described it as a result of the school’s failure in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for their client.

Meanwhile, a date has not been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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