Court remands Lagos teacher until she meets bail conditions, case adjourned until February 18
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
An Ogba Chief Magistrate Court has remanded Stella Nwadigbo in Kirikiri Maximum Prison for allegedly assaulting a three-year-old pupil of CHRIST-MITOS Primary School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
A viral video shared on X on Tuesday by Oyindamola @dammiedammie35 captured Nwadigbo, 45, repeatedly slapping toddler Abayomi Michael for not learning to write numbers fast.
Public outrage and condemnation led to her police arrest on Wednesday and to her suspension from the school on Thursday.
During her arraignment, Police prosecutor Akeem Raji told the court that the defendant committed the offences on January 7 at about 11am at CHRIST-MITOS Primary School, Ikorodu, Lagos.
He said she indecently dealt with the kid in her class one by giving him fist blows repeatedly on his face, which caused him injury and swollen face.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 135 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Nwadigbo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Kusanu granted her bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum who are gainfully employed.
She could not immediately meet the bail conditions.
Police confirm incarceration
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin later issued a statement which disclosed that the suspect was remanded at Kirikiri correctional facility until February 18 when the case would continue.
“The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigo, aged 45, for indecent treatment and assault of a child,” he said.
“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 [in] the Kirikiri correctional facility till February 18, 2025, when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.”
Hundeyin said 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.
Court gives update on proceedings
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in an update on X.com on Thursday disclosed that Nwadigo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, January 9, 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court,” the statement said.
“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.
“Her defence counsel applied for bail, which the court set at N200,000 and two verifiable sureties.”
Read also:
Woman under police arrest for allegedly inflicting grievous injuries on 5-year-old stepdaughter