By Olayemi Esan, Abuja
Karen was a 14-year student at Premiere Academy at Lugbe in Abuja, before her demise in June this year.
The deceased’s mother, Vivien Akpagher, had alleged that her daughter was raped in the said school, after which a condom was left in her, resulting in sepsis leading to her death.
But the school authorities denied such claims, saying the child only complained of red-eye condition for which she was treated at the hospital before she was picked from the school by the mother.
A coalition of gender-based violence responders led by Lemmy Ughegbe has been leading a campaign to bring the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.
After submitting a petition to the Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, in Abuja, by the coalition, Mr. Ughegbe vowed to champion the advocacy until justice is done.
NHRC speaks
While receiving the petition on July 15, Mr. Ojukwu said the commission would investigate the content of the petition.
“I wish to thank the coalition for not taking laws into its hands and I assure you that the commission would investigate the content of the petition lodged by the coalition. We have seen and read about this case on social media. But your petition has come in and you have itemised the concerns. We shall look into it thoroughly,” a statement by the coalition quoted Mr. Ojukwu as saying.
“You have done the right thing by not taking laws into your hands. We shall investigate your petition with a view to deciding whether or not to accede to the prayers contained therein.