A 45-year-old teacher, Stella Nwadigo, has been remanded by the Ogba Chief Magistrate Court on Thursday for assaulting a three-year-old pupil of Christ-Mitos Primary School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
A viral video on Wednesday showed Nwadigbo slapping the toddler at intervals for not learning to write numbers fast.
The video attracted public condemnation and outrage, leading to the teacher’s arrest.
During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at about 11 am.
Raji said the incident occurred at the Chris Mistot School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
He said she indecently dealt with a three-year-old pupil of the school in her class one, Abayomi Michael, by giving him injury on his face.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant assaulted Abayomi by giving him fist blows consistently on his face, which caused him injury and swollen face.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 135 and 172, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Consequently, Magistrate Olabisi Kusanu granted her bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum who are gainfully employed.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement obtained on Thursday, stated that the suspect was remanded at the Kirikiri correctional facility until February 18, when the case would continue.
The police spokesman added that the pupil had been taken to a medical facility for a proper check-up.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigo, aged 45, for indecent treatment and assault of a child.
“The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
“Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters the same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention.
“The suspect has since been remanded to the Kirikiri correctional facility till February 18, 2025, when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.”
Hundeyin further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, commended Nigerians for promptly reporting the incident and assured them of the command’s readiness to respond to situations ensuring the safety and security of Lagos residents and visitors.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in an update on X.com on Thursday stated that the teacher pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her.
The statement read, “Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, January 9, 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court.
“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.”
The statement added, “Her defence counsel applied for bail, which the court set at N200,000 and two verifiable sureties.
However, the management of the school has announced the suspension of the teacher.
In the statement, the school condemned the teacher’s action, describing it as unacceptable.
The statement read in part, “We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving a teacher engaging in physical discipline of a student in a completely unacceptable manner.
“As an institution deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.
“In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a thorough investigation is being conducted,” it said.
The school said that its immediate and decisive action reflected its zero tolerance for misconduct and its obligation to safeguard every child under its care.
“As such, we have an open door policy to provide students, parents and guardians with a safe space to voice any concerns without fear,” it said.
The school said that it had apologised to the pupil and his family.
“We have reached out to them to express our regret. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.
“We will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices, and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students, ” it added.
According to the school, it has also introduced a whistle-blowing system to encourage prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour.
PUNCH Metro reports that Nwadigo was arrested after a viral video shared on X by Oyindamola, @dammiedammie35 an X user, captured her brutally slapping the three-year-old pupil.
The disturbing footage revealed an incident of physical abuse, as Nwadigo in the video is seen repeatedly slapping the young pupil for failing to follow writing instructions.
