Lagos teacher arraigned for slapping three-year-old pupil pleads not guilty

Stella Nwadigo, a teacher arrested for physically assaulting a three-year-old pupil at Christ-Mitots International School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, appeared before Magistrate M.O. Kusanu at the Ogba Magistrate Court on Thursday.

Nwadigo, who was apprehended after a video surfaced online showing her repeatedly slapping the young child, Abayomi Micheal, reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her. 

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency disclosed this in an update on X.com on Thursday.

The statement read, “Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, 9th January 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court. (sic)

“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.”

Nwadigo’s defence counsel was said to have applied for bail, which the court reportedly set at N200,000.

The statement added, “Her defense counsel applied for bail, which the court set at ₦200,000 and two verifiable sureties.

“The suspect has been remanded in a correctional facility, and the case is adjourned to the 18th January 2024 for trial.”

PUNCH reports that the viral video, which showed Nwadigo repeatedly slapping Abayomi while attempting to teach him how to write the number six, ignited public outrage, leading to widespread calls for justice.

Nwadigo was also suspended by the school’s management, while Abayomi was reportedly hospitalised following the incident.

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