A 69-year old woman, Chief Mrs. Clifford Ikpikpini and her two children, Oprugwe, 34 and daughter, Okiore, 37, have landed in trouble for allegedly flogging a 10-year old boy, Abel Ojeka and inflicting injury on his body inside the school premises in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 27th and 28th June, 2024, at Cradle of Wisdom School, Igando area of Lagos.
They were arraigned before the Ogba Magistrate Court for assault by torturing and subjecting him to inhuman treatment.
Part of the charges read:
COUNT 1: That you Okeisoprugwe Clifford Ikpikpini ‘M’ and Okiore Ikpikpini F and Chief (Mrs.) Clifford Ikpikpini, 69 and Others at large on the 27th and 28 June, 2024 at about 0800hrs at Cradle of Wisdom Schools Igando in the Lagos State Magisterial district, did flog one Abel Ojeka ‘M’ 10 years old, with a cain and inflicted injuries on his back, left hand and waist and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II: That you Okeisoprugwe Clifford Ikpikpini ‘M’ and Okiore Ikpikpini F and Chief (Mrs.) Clifford Ikpikpini and Others at large on these date time and place at the aforementione Magisterial District, did infringe on the right of dignity of one Abel Ojeka M° 10 years old by subjecting him to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section10 (1) (b) of Child Rights Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II: That you Okeisoprugwe Clifford Ikpikpini ‘M’ and Okiore Ikpikpini F and Chief (Mrs.) Clifford Ikpikpini, 69 and Others at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by refusing to collect or accept Police invitation form and thereby committed an offence punishable under the Criminal Laws of the State. “
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 29th August, 2024, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.