*The Lagos State Government has shut all branches of Chrisland Schools in various parts of the state, following an alleged sexual violence case involving students of the institution, which occurred during a trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following an alleged sexual abuse and subsequent circulation of child pornography video involving one of the school pupils, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has shut all branches of Chrisland Schools in various parts of the state.

ConsumerConnect reports the Lagos State Government, in a statement issued amid controversy over the issue Monday, April 18, 2022, disclosed that it has commenced investigation into the matter involving some pupils of the school taken on a trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) March 2022.

The State Government also noted: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.

“In view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and pscyho social support is provided.

“This is to reassure members of the public of the State Government’s commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centered institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme.”

Sharing child pornography attracts 14 years in jail

The Lagos State Government further stated: “We also use this medium to remind the general public that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, commits an offence and is liable to custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years.

“This includes ‘producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography.’

“In the meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations.”

The purported sexual abuse in Dubai

It was gathered that a video showing the mother of an alleged victim calling for help went viral Monday, sparking controversy and debate.

The mother of the pupil allegedly abused pupil had claimed that Chrisland Schools, in Lagos, had sought to cover up the matter.

In the video shared by certain Ubi Franklin, she further claimed that Chrisland suspended her daughter once the school found out she was aware of the gravity of the alleged abuse.

Chrisland is yet to officially respond to the allegations.

In an indefinite suspension letter by the school, signed by Chrisland’s Head Teacher, G.I. Azike, Chrisland Schools stated that the alleged victim “with a few of her counterparts willfully participated in a game they called ‘Truth or Dare’, a game which led her and a few other co-learners to carry out immoral act after the lights out instruction was given.”

The school also claimed that all efforts at informing her parent about the incident “has proved to be futile.”

We’ll ensure justice is served in the matter ─Lagos Police Command

Meanwhile, in reaction to the controversy, the Lagos State Police Command has said that it will ensure that justice is served in the alleged sexual abuse of a Nigerian minor in Dubai, after investigation.

Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police and Spokesman of the State Police Command, in a statement issued Monday, also explained that the Nigeria Police have commenced an investigation towards ascertaining the identities of the pupils involved, and to gather other relevant information.

The Command stated: “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to an alleged rape video purportedly depicting students of Chrisland School Lagos, going viral on social media.

“The Command has commenced investigations into the matter with a view to establishing the identities of the players in the video, the true incident in the video, the geographical location of the incident, the alleged threat to life against a student of the school, and circumstances surrounding the alleged repeated pregnancy tests conducted on a student without parental consent.”

Hundeyin also said: “The Command is equally taking cognisance of the cybercrime angle to the whole episode and would not hesitate to enlist the support of the Interpol should the need arise.

“For a holistic and unbiased investigation, the command shall be working with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and non-governmental organisations.”