Gift Agenoisa, a Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) student flogged and suspended for coming to school with an “indecent hairstyle” has sued the Ekiti State government and is seeking N15 million in damages for breach of her “fundamental rights.”
Earlier May 22, 2021, Agenoisa’s father, Police Sergeant Elijah, allegedly mobilized four armed policemen to the school to manhandle some teachers for scolding his daughter who was said to have come to school with an indecent hairdo against the school rules and regulation.
In a suit number HAD/01/CR/2021 and sworn to, at the Ado-Ekiti High Court, on her behalf by her mother Odunayo Agenoisa, the student of Immaculate Secondary School, Ado-Ekiti, claimed her suspension infringed on her rights.
Joined in the suit are the school principal, Oluwasanmi F.M, the education commissioner Olabimpe Aderiye, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and Ekiti state government.
Agenoisa claimed she was singled out on assembly on May 22 and given 20 lashes on the order of the principal for wearing an indecent hairstyle.
In summons by her counsel, Timmy Omotoso, she demanded N15 million in damages for her suspension and an immediate reinstatement to school with unfettered access to all services.
She claimed the beating resulted in bruises, life-threatening scars and bloodstains on her uniform.
She added she fainted and was rushed to the police clinic in Ado- Ekiti, where she was resuscitated.
She said she resorted to a legal suit after her letters of protest to the wife of Ekiti Governor and some relevant government agencies were not responded to.
She added that she was being denied access to the school premises and her class, on the orders of the principal since then.
Plateau: Return of Dead Bodies, Daily Trust Editorial of May 28, 2023