A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has awarded N100 million in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence that led to the death of a student.
Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim filed the suit after alleging that the school’s failure to provide adequate medical care to his 9-year-old daughter, Kamzie, contributed to her untimely death.
In the suit, marked CV/1738/18, Ikpeatusim claimed that Kamzie, who had been admitted as a boarding student in September 2017, fell ill shortly after her resumption. Despite her worsening condition, the school failed to provide timely medical attention, and Kamzie passed away a few days later, on October 2, 2017.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, while delivering the judgment, awarded the N100 million in damages and ordered that a 10% interest be added to the amount from April 8 until the sum is fully paid. The court also awarded an additional N300,000 to cover the cost of the suit.
Justice Oriji concluded that the evidence presented indicated that the school and its staff acted negligently by failing to promptly and adequately address Kamzie’s medical needs.
“The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school.
“There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” he stated.
Justice Oriji however acknowledged the fact that one significant outcome of the case was the improvement of the school’s sickbay following the incident.
He noted that the presence of doctors attending to students twice daily was a commendable development.
While the claimant had asked the court to order the school to name one of its structures in Kamzie’s name in her honour, Justice Oriji noted that the improvement in the school’s sickbay was sufficient enough to know the school is making amends from its mistake.
“The court thinks that the improvement in the sickbay, ensuring doctors are available twice daily, is in honour of Kamzie, as part of reforms recommended by her family.
“The claimant should take solace in the fact that Kamzie has been honoured by the school through these improvements.”