Bullied Student Drags Abuja British School To Court, Seeks N500m Damages, Others

A female student of Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, Ms. Namitra Bwala, has dragged the school before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for allegedly failing to protect her from bullies and subsequent cover-up of the incident.

LEADERSHIP had about three weeks ago reported the incident, which gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on social media showing a female student Mariam Hassan, bullying a fellow student Namtira Bwala. The video sparked outrage across social media platforms, prompting calls for accountability and justice by netizens.

However, the school authorities issued a statement claiming it was investigating the incident and taking all necessary steps to address it while the Federal Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development also waded into the matter. The bully, Maryam, thereafter, tendered a public apology to the victim and the public through a viral video message.

But, apparently dissatisfied, Namitra Bwala, a minor and suing through her guardian, Mr. Daniel Madu Bwala, has approached the FCT High Court for restitution, accusing the Lead British International School of negligence and cover-up of the incident.

According to the court papers sighted by our correspondent and a press statement issued by the law firm of Deji Adeyanju and Partners, signed by a founding partner of the firm, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq. on Monday, Namitra specifically sought a total N505m in damages against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, for failing in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for her while under its custody and care.

The damages include N500m damage against the school for failing in its duty to provide protection and care for her, N5million cost of litigation and public apology in two national dailies.

“We are Solicitors to Ms. Namitra Bwala (hereinafter referred to as our client) on whose instruction we hereby notify the general public of the fact that our client has instituted a civil suit against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, following the viral video released on the internet a few weeks ago where our client was seen being bullied by her fellow students.

“The law suit with case number FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: MISS NAMTIRA BWALA v LEAD BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LTD was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and seeks damages against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, for failing in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for our client.

“Our client hopes that this lawsuit will bring about drastic changes and adequate measures to prevent a reoccurrence of similar issues in the school,” Barrister Omorogbe, Esq stated.