The family of Namitra Bwala, a student of Lead British International School situated in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja, has filed a civil suit against the school.
The lawsuit followed viral videos showing Ms Bwala being bullied by her fellow students.
In one of the videos, the victim was seen being slapped repeatedly by Mariam Hassan who asked “Who broke my heart?”
In the second video, the victim was assaulted again while sitting next to a male student who was heard saying “I spoilt her relationship”.
Hassan has since apologised for her action.
But, Bwala’s family has asked the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to grant it N500 million in damages against the school.
They also want the court to compel the school to issue a public apology in two national dailies as general damages for failing to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
The family in the suit filed on May 9 asked the court for: “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.
“An order directing the Defendant to issue a public apology to the Claimant 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. The 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.”
