Police arrest Lagos school proprietor for ‘sexually harassing female student’

Emmanuel Madueke, proprietor of Megland Comprehensive School in Lekki, Lagos, has been arrested by the state police command for allegedly assaulting a female student sexually.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) said the 62-year-old man sexually harassed the senior secondary student in May during the children’s day celebration in the school.

“This act contravenes the Child’s Rights Law 2015 as well as the Criminal Law of Lagos State, particularly, Sections 135, (indecent treatment of a child) as well as 263, Sexual Assault,” the statement reads.

“According to the Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, a team comprising officers of Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the DSVRT visited the school, based on the State Government’s Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme, 2016.

“It was gathered that the alleged perpetrator had developed a cordial relationship with the student before perpetrating this heinous act.

“In an interview with the student by the Team, the affected child disclosed that the school proprietor on May 26th, 2021 which happened to be the school’s children’s day celebration, made an advancement towards her, kissed her on her lips but she was able to push him away and ran out of his office.

“She added that since the incident, she has made every effort to distance herself from the proprietor.

“Reacting to the allegations, the alleged perpetrator claimed that his action was an innocent gesture on the student’s cheek.

“Further investigations revealed that the affected child may not be the only student to have fallen victim of sexual harassment in the hands of the alleged perpetrator.

“It was further alleged that Mr. Emmanuel Madueke tactically grooms the female students who become acquainted with him promising educational advancement as a reward.

“The Team has however reported the case to llasan Police Division with investigation ongoing by the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command.”

The agency added that the Lagos government will continue to work to ensure the protection of children from all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.