A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, awarded the sum of N100m in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence of duty of care which led to the death of a student.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, while delivering judgement in the suit brought before the court by the complainant, Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, who sued the school for negligence that resulted in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Kamzie, after awarding the cost, ordered a 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from April 8 until full payment.
He also awarded an additional N300,000 as the cost of the suit.
In the suit marked CV/1738/18, Ikpeatusim alleged that the school’s failure to provide adequate medical attention after Kamzie, who fell ill shortly after her admission and resumption in the school, led to her untimely death.
Kamzie was admitted as a boarding student in September 2017 and became severely ill by October 2, and died a few days later.
Justice Oriji, while pronouncing the decision of the court, held that the evidence presented clearly showed the school and its agents acted negligently by failing to attend promptly and adequately to 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.
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, Oriji noted that the improvement in the school’s sickbay was sufficient to show that the school is making amends for its mistake.
“The court is of the opinion 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.”
