The controversy surrounding Valencia Group of Schools, Akobo, Ibadan, has taken a legal turn as a former student, Oluwaferanmi David Ojo, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Oyo State High Court, alleging that his dignity was violated during his time at the school.
Documents obtained by IbadanCity Announcer reveal that the suit was filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, citing Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, alongside provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojo is asking the court to determine whether the punishment allegedly meted out to him in September 2016 amounts to degrading treatment under Nigerian law. He is also seeking ₦50 million in damages from the school’s proprietor, Goodness Morakinyo.
In the court filing, the claimant urged the court to declare that the disciplinary actions taken against him at the Ibadan-based school violated his fundamental right to dignity.
The legal action follows an earlier statement by the school management, which denied allegations of abuse, maintaining that the disciplinary measures administered were moderate and in line with school policy. The school explained that the incident arose from a WhatsApp message in which the student allegedly used a derogatory term against the proprietor.
However, Ojo has rejected the school’s position, describing the account as misleading and inaccurate. He insisted that the version presented by the institution does not reflect what truly transpired, adding that the matter will now be resolved in court.
The claimant, in a public statement, said he has taken the legal route to seek redress and is prepared to pursue the case to its conclusion, stating that both parties would “meet in court.”
Findings by IbadanCity Announcer indicate that the dispute is built on conflicting accounts. While the school maintains that the punishment involved only caning and routine corrective measures, Ojo alleges that the actions went beyond acceptable disciplinary standards and amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
It was also gathered that the matter was initially handled internally in 2016, with both parties reportedly reaching an understanding at the time. However, the issue recently resurfaced on social media, reigniting public interest and escalating it into a legal battle.
Legal experts say the case could test the limits of school discipline in relation to fundamental human rights, particularly involving minors. They note that courts in Nigeria are increasingly being called upon to interpret how disciplinary practices align with constitutional and international human rights standards.
Education stakeholders have also raised concerns about safeguarding policies in schools, the use of corporal punishment, and the potential psychological impact of disciplinary actions on students.
As the case heads to the Oyo State High Court, observers say the outcome could set an important precedent for schools across Nigeria in defining acceptable disciplinary practices.
For now, both parties remain firm, with the school urging the public to await the court’s decision, while the claimant insists that justice must be determined through the legal process.
