Justice for 6-Year-Old: Gombe School Principal, Teacher Remanded Over Alleged Abuse
A private school teacher and principal in Gombe State have been remanded in custody at a custodial centre after being charged for sexual assault of a 6-year-old pupil.The charge of sexual assault against a principal and a teacher of a private school in Gombe State has raised concerns about the safety and protection of children in school environments.
A Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered the defendants, who were named as teacher Eleazer Yila and school principal Nasiru Barau Manun, Arawa Quarters, Gombe, to remain in custody pending further hearing.
The alleged incident happened in July 2026 and was revealed when the child told her mother, Mrs Saratu Emmanuel. The teacher was accused of sexually assaulting the pupil and the principal was accused of failing to report the matter to the proper authorities and failing to inform the pupil about the matter.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. The defence pleaded for a summary trial as contained in the pertinent provision of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020.
Both the defendants were remanded at the Medium Security Custodial Centre and the case was adjourned for further hearing on July 28, 2026, for judgment.
Child protection groups say that, as important safe havens for children, schools need to uphold rigorous safeguarding measures, background checks for staff, consistent reporting procedures and swift intervention when allegations of child abuse are made. They also stress the need to listen to children and take them seriously.
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