Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the proprietor of Megland Comprehensive School, Lekki, for allegedly sexually assaulting and harassing a female student.
The proprietor, 62-year- old Emmanuel Madueke, was alleged to have sexually harassed a senior secondary student of his school.
According to the Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response
Team (DSVRT), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, this act contravenes the Child’s Rights law 2015 as well as the Criminal Law of Lagos State, particularly, sections 135, (Indecent treatment of a child) as well as 263, Sexual Assault.
To this end, she said a team comprising officers of Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the DSVRT visited the school, based on the state government’s Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme, 2016.
She said: “It was gathered that the alleged perpetrator had developed a cordial relationship with the student before perpetrating this heinous act.
“In an interview with the student by the team, the affected child disclosed that the school proprietor on May 26, 2021 which happened to be the school’s children’s day celebration, made an advancement towards her, kissed her on her lips but she was able to push him away and ran out of his office.
“She added that since the incident she has made every effort to distance herself from the proprietor.
“Reacting to the allegations, the alleged perpetrator claimed that his action was an innocent gesture on the student’s cheek.
“Further investigations revealed that the affected child may not be the only student to have
fallen victim of sexual harassment in the hands of the alleged perpetrator.
“It was further alleged that Mr. Emmanuel Madueke tactically grooms the female students, who become acquainted with him, promising educational advancement as a reward.
“The team has however reported the case to Ilasan Police Division with investigation ongoing
by the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command.”
She added that the Lagos State government after the investigation reiterated its commitment in ensuring protection of children from all forms of Sexual and Gender- based Violence (SGBV), warning that no form of it would be tolerated in the state
