Deeper Life reacts to allegation of sexual molestation by its male students

 

The management of the Deeper Life High School in Akwa Ibom state has suspended Solomon Ndidi, the principal of the institution, over allegations involving molestation of a student.

 

Deborah Okezie, a woman whose son is a JSS1 pupil at the Christian school, had shared a video on her Facebook account wherein she alleged that her son was starved and molested by some senior pupils of the school.

 

Okezie claimed her son told her the principal of the school moved him to the senior students’ hostel for urinating on his bed.

 

She also claimed that the senior students molested the little boy by pushing their hands and legs into his anus.

 

The mother alleged that her son told her that they threatened to kill him if he reported to the principal or his parents.

 

She said the principal promised to move the 11-year-old back to the junior hostel but had failed to do so.

 

The video had gone viral and provoked outrage on social media, prompting the school to release a statement on Monday where it reacted to the allegations.

 

While it noted that the principal has been suspended, the school said an investigation into the case has begun.

 

“We will like to categorically restate that Deeper Life High School is built on the core values of godliness and excellence and will not tolerate any immoral act or molestation of any student,” the school wrote.

 

“We believe parents /guardians enroll their wards in our schools all over the country because of the strong perception that ours offers a sure-footed platform for moral armament and academic excellence.

 

“We want to assure the general public that investigations into the case have commenced and no culprit., whether staff or student, will be spared if found culpable at the end of the exercise.

 

“As an interim measure and to underscore the seriousness we attach to higher superintending values, the school principal has been suspended summarily even as further investigations continue.

 

“We firmly assure the discerning public that the overall outcome of the investigations will be made known.

 

“And appropriate disciplinary actions will be meted to all culprits in this unfortunate act that admittedly threatens to cast unnecessary aspersions on a unique institution that has been a shining example to all over the years.”

 

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The video also drew the attention of the Akwa Ibom State government, which on Sunday, expressed concern over the allegations.

 

In a brief statement, Commissioner for Information in the state, Ini Ememobong, said Governor Emmanuel has directed the Commissioner for Education “to immediately investigate the complaints and take necessary action”.

 

“The State Government is committed to the protection of children wherever they may be within its jurisdiction,” Mr Ememobong said.

 

The school management said in a statement that the principal had been suspended to allow investigation.

 

“We want to assure the general public that investigations into the case have commenced and no culprits, whether staff or students, will be spared if found culpable at the end of the exercise,” the school said.

 

“As an interim measure and to underscore the seriousness we attach to higher superintending values, the school principal has been suspended summarily even as further investigations continue,” the statement read.

The school promised to make the outcome of the investigations public while appropriate disciplinary actions will be meted to all those found wanting.