As previously reported by SaharaReporters in July 2023, the young girl with hearing and speech impairments, was allegedly sexually assaulted on July 19, 2023, during her kindergarten graduation ceremony, a traumatic incident that has left her family seeking justice.
Mark Akande, the father of a six-year-old special needs child allegedly sexually assaulted at NAOWA Nursery and Primary School, located in the Nigerian Army Barracks in Badagry, Lagos State, is seeking justice for his daughter's traumatic experience.
The incident reportedly occurred at 243 Recce Battalion in Lagos.
As previously reported by SaharaReporters in July 2023, the young girl with hearing and speech impairments, was allegedly sexually assaulted on July 19, 2023, during her kindergarten graduation ceremony, a traumatic incident that has left her family seeking justice.
In their quest for justice, the family have appealed for support to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable for the act.
Meanwhile, the family have raised an alarm that the school management is trying to cover up the assault.
Mark Akande, the victim’s father, has expressed outrage and disappointment over the violation of his daughter's rights in a school that was supposed to provide a safe and protective environment.
Instead of conducting a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrator, the school authorities have allegedly attempted to cover up the incident, further exacerbating the family's distress.
However, more than one year after, the family have also accused the Nigerian Army of cover-up, insisting that it has refused to release the perpetrator and collaborators even though police and medical investigations have confirmed the defilement.
In a Save Our Soul (SOS) sent to SaharaReporters titled "Defilement of Six-Year-Old Special Girl Child: Request for Justice," Mr Akande said the matter was subjected to all manner of investigations without handing over the suspect(s) to the police for proper investigation.
Demanding justice, Mr Akande said, "My daughter Miss. C. Akande, a special girl child with speech impairment have been able to identified the persons that defiled her through a picture and sign language communication.
"Miss C. Akande described to the officers from the Badagry Police Station the person that defiled her when she was asked and the statement is documented at the Badagry Police Station.
"We have also done all necessary medical Investigation and tests and we have some report from Mirabel Medical Center and Ceceyara Foundation."
He regretted that despite the traumatic experience and psychosocial problems his daughter and family had been subjected to, NAOWA Nursery and Primary School, Ibereko - Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria Army, Ibereko - Barracks, Badagry, Lagos have continued to treat them as the accused people for speaking out.
He added, "We are subjected to all manner of investigation without handing over the suspect(s) to the police for proper investigation.
"They said we want to spoil their names so nothing should be said about our daughter.
"That we are looking for money that is why we cooked up the story against the suspect and the school management.
"That how can we be living in the barracks and still voice out against the institution of the same barracks we live in among others."
Akande alleged that the Nigerian Army refused to release Mrs. Deborah Adeuti - Head teacher and Stephen Asong - a class teacher to the police in the course of their investigation.
Mr Akande, who also accused the school management of covering up the matter, appealed to the Chief of Army Staff and military authorities to hand over those people that have direct connection with the case to the Nigerian police for proper investigation.
"We also demand that Miss C. Akande should be given proper medical attention because phycological and behavior attitude are deteriorating and help her in every manner necessary to integrate her to the society," he said.
Attempts by SaharaReporters to reach NAOWA Nursery and Primary School management for its reaction was unsuccessful as the mobile line of the school's head teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Odiase, was unreachable.
Additionally, the Nigerian Army has yet to issue a statement on the matter. The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, did not answer his calls or respond to text messages sent to his mobile line.