In his ruling, Justice Oriji said the evidence clearly demonstrated negligence by the school and its agents.

An Abuja High Court has awarded N100 million in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence that led to the death of a nine-year-old pupil, Kamzie Ikpeatusim.

Delivering judgment in the suit marked CV/1738/18, Justice Sylvanus Oriji found the school liable for failing to provide adequate medical attention when Kamzie fell severely ill shortly after being admitted as a boarding pupil in September 2017.

She died days after falling ill on October 2.

The case was brought by her father, Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, who accused the school of breaching its duty of care by neglecting the child’s medical needs, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

In his ruling, Justice Oriji said the evidence clearly demonstrated negligence by the school and its agents.

“The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school. There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” the judge stated.

The court awarded N100 million in general damages and ordered the school to pay an additional N300,000 as the cost of the suit. It also ruled that 10 per cent interest would be applied to the judgment sum from April 8 until full payment was made.

The court acknowledged that one positive outcome of the tragic incident was the school’s improved sickbay facilities.

Justice Oriji noted that the presence of doctors attending to students twice daily was a commendable reform.

The claimant had also requested that a school structure be named in memory of Kamzie. While the court did not mandate this, Justice Oriji said the medical reforms serve as a lasting tribute.

“The court is of the opinion that the improvement in the sickbay, ensuring doctors are available twice daily, is in honour of Kamzie, as part of reforms recommended by her family,” he said.

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