Eromosele Oribhabor, a businessman from Edo State, told Alexander Okere that his nine‑year‑old daughter was allegedly left traumatized after being whipped 40 times by the proprietress of her school in Delta State. He explained that both of his children attend Cherish Montessori Cambridge Academy in Warri; his eldest daughter, Gina, is in Grade Five, while his younger daughter is in Grade Four. The incident occurred on Thursday, 26 January 2023. Because the children live with the mother’s elder sister, the family only learned of the flogging on Saturday night.
Oribhabor said his wife informed him that Gina had received 40 strokes of the cane after being accused of stealing N1,000 from a teacher. He was angry that the proprietress had not called him, despite having his phone number, and he immediately contacted her. She claimed the punishment was not for the missing money itself but because classmates had reported that Gina often brought cash to school—sometimes N1,000, N1,500, or N900—and therefore must have taken the teacher’s money. The proprietress said the missing amount was N1,000 belonging to the class teacher.
The father confirmed the number of strokes through his wife and younger daughter, who said Gina received more than 40 strokes. He noted that Gina had never been flogged in this manner before. Earlier, three weeks prior, Gina had led a protest with about six other pupils against a teacher she accused of maltreating them. After the protest, Gina told her father she wanted to leave the school, complaining that the female teacher often condemned her classwork and artwork. On one occasion, after he bought two pieces of cardboard for her art, the teacher dismissed her work and forced her to redraw it three times as punishment.
When asked about physical evidence, Oribhabor said Gina showed no obvious marks because the flogging was on the backs of her thighs and the bruises were faint. However, she became withdrawn, refused food, and spent long periods away from home after being sent on errands. She expressed depression, confusion, and a desire not to return to the school.
The family confronted the proprietress on Monday. She reiterated that she believed Gina had been stealing and that, after many years of teaching, she could tell when a child was lying. She defended flogging as the only way to discipline and “beat the habit out of” the child. During the confrontation, the proprietress threatened to flog Oribhabor and his wife, called him “the father of a thief,” and ordered them to leave the school. Oribhabor argued that, had he been informed, he could have handled the matter himself, either disciplining his daughter or authorising the proprietress to act. He stressed that no offense should merit such a punishment for a nine‑year‑old.
Regarding the alleged money, Oribhabor said he gives his daughters small sums—N500 to N1,000—for personal needs, which he does not consider excessive. After leaving the school, they went directly to a police station to lodge a complaint. The police did not arrest the proprietress but said they would invite her to give her side of the story before deciding. Oribhabor emphasized that he does not want the issue swept under the carpet; another parent had reported a similar incident where a teacher was flogged by a mother after her son was beaten.
He noted that many people witnessed the proprietress calling him “the father of a thief” and the flogging on the assembly ground, leading to rumors that Gina was a thief. One parent even warned their child to stay away from Gina. Oribhabor fears the stigma will follow his daughter and himself, and demands that the proprietress clear both their names.
Finally, Oribhabor reported the case to the Ministry of Education. Officials asked him to allow them to handle the matter, and he was advised by a human‑rights lawyer to involve them for an investigation. The proprietress later begged for forgiveness, but the police instructed the family to return to the station on Wednesday, 8 February 2023.
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