By Abigail Philip David
Stella Nwadigo, a teacher accused of assaulting a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, at Christ-Mitots International School in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Nwadigo appeared before Magistrate M.O. Kusanu at the Ogba Magistrate Court on Thursday, following her arrest after a viral video showed her repeatedly slapping the child.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency confirmed the court proceedings in a statement posted on X.com.
The statement read, “All parties involved in the ongoing case of child abuse appeared at the Ogba Magistrate Court today, January 9, 2024. The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu, and the suspect pleaded not guilty to the two charges read to her.”
Nwadigo’s defence counsel applied for bail, which the court granted at ₦200,000, along with two verifiable sureties. However, the suspect has been remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
The statement further noted, “The case is adjourned to January 18, 2024, for trial.”
The viral video, which captured Nwadigo slapping Abayomi while teaching him to write the number six, sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. Following the incident, the school management suspended Nwadigo, and the child was reportedly hospitalised.
