Court Adjourns Premiere Academy Suit Against Activist Seeking Justice for Late 14-Year-Old
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In a recent development, an Abuja High Court sitting in Kwali has adjourned the suit filed by Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, against Child Rights Advocate and media personality, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe. The suit, which seeks to stop Dr. Ughegbe from seeking justice for the late 14-year-old boarding student, Keren-Happuch Akpagher, was adjourned to November 12, 2024.
Keren-Happuch died on June 22, 2021, due to complications arising from rape, which infected her with sepsis and triggered her diabetic condition. Her mother, Mrs. Vivien Vihimga Akpagher, had filed a complaint at the FCT Police Command, alleging that her child was raped in the school.
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Background of the Case
Dr. Ughegbe has been at the forefront of seeking justice for Keren-Happuch and her family. In a speech at the 2021 Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Law Week, Dr. Ughegbe referred to Premiere Academy as “prime suspects” in the abuse and subsequent death of Keren-Happuch. This prompted the school to sue him for defamation, claiming N500 million in damages.
Premiere Academy’s Argument
In the suit filed by Premiere Academy’s legal team, the school argued that Dr. Ughegbe’s statements have damaged its reputation and will continue to do so if not stopped. The school claims that it will suffer “irreparable damage” to its character if the court fails to bar Dr. Ughegbe from making further public statements.
Dr. Ughegbe’s Response
When asked about the defamation suit, Dr. Ughegbe laughed, saying, “Do they want to use cheap legal action to bully me into silence and breach my constitutional right to hold and express my opinion? Tell them they have made a wrong call and have failed.”
Dr. Ughegbe also expressed his eagerness for the Investigative Panel of the House of Representatives to begin a public hearing on the matter, stating that “we shall open a gigantic can of worms.”
Previous Efforts to Seek Justice
Following pressure from Dr. Ughegbe and public outcry, the House of Representatives ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct a DNA test for all male staff of the school in December 2021. However, the House failed to conduct any public hearing despite several correspondences from human rights organizations.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the FCT Social Development Secretariat also failed to take action on the petition filed by Dr. Ughegbe and other activists.
The adjournment of the suit has sparked concerns about systemic failure and conspiracy of silence and inaction by those in power. Dr. Ughegbe remains committed to seeking justice for Keren-Happuch and her family.
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