‘They Told Me to Take ₦200,000’ – Mother Alleges Pressure to Abandon Daughter’s Child Sexual Abuse Case
A child sexual abuse case in Lagos has brought new issues to light regarding the difficulties children encounter when seeking justice and protection from abuse.
The teenager’s mother claimed her daughter was sexually abused by her home lesson teacher in Ketu, Lagos State and the suspect threatened to kill the child if she disclosed the incident.
School officials only became aware of the alleged abuse when they noticed changes and alerted the girl’s mother, underscoring the importance of schools in identifying and responding to signs of abuse.
The family reported the case to the police and the suspect was arrested. But the mother claimed that some officers repeatedly urged the family to settle the case for money. She also said they were dissuaded from going to court.
The Lagos State Police Command has denied the allegations, calling them untrue, and stated that the suspect is under medical care after he reportedly collapsed before his arraignment. He will be charged when he is fit to stand trial, police said.
Child protection advocates state that all children who report sexual abuse should receive a response that is focused on safety, dignity and justice. They caution that children and families may be deterred from reporting abuse if they feel pressured to drop a case.
The case has sparked renewed calls for survivor-centred investigations and more robust protections to allow children to pursue justice without intimidation or interference.
