Abuja Court Awards N100M Damages Against School Over Student’s Death
An Abuja High Court has ordered Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, to pay N100 million in general damages for negligence that led to the death of a 9-year-old student, Kamzie Ikpeatusim.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who delivered judgment on Tuesday, ruled that the school failed in its duty of care when Kamzie fell seriously ill shortly after being admitted as a boarding student in September 2017. Despite her worsening condition by October 2, the court found that the school did not provide prompt or adequate medical attention, resulting in her untimely death just days later.
In the suit (CV/1738/18), Kamzie’s father, Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, accused the school of gross negligence. Justice Oriji agreed, stating: “The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school.
“There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life.”
In addition to the N100 million in general damages, the court also awarded N300,000 as the cost of the suit and ordered 10% interest annually on the judgment sum from April 8 until full payment.
One notable outcome of the case is the reported upgrade of the school’s sickbay, now with doctors attending to students twice daily, a reform the judge described as a tribute to Kamzie.
Though Mr. Ikpeatusim requested a building be named after his daughter, the court noted that the medical improvements serve as a lasting honor to her memory.
