The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday ordered the complete closure of all branches of Chrisland Schools in Lagos following a viral sex video showing a 10-year-old schoolgirl having sex with her schoolmates while in Dubai for academic competition.
Recall that pupils from the private school located in Victoria Garden City had embarked on a trip to Dubai to participate in the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022 when the incident happened.
Following the incident, the school authorities suspended the student indefinitely, stating that she was “a major actor” in an “immoral act”.
But the girl’s mother claimed that her daughter was drugged and raped by some male students of the school.
Following the controversy, the state government in a statement jointly signed by the ministry of education, office of education quality assurance, the ministry of youth and social development and the ministry of justice, announced the shutting down of the school “to reassure members of the public of the state government’s commitment to safety and child protection.”
“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland School, which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, including the ministry of education, office of education quality assurance, ministry of youth and social development, ministry of justice and the Lagos State domestic and sexual violence agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the commissioner of police.
“In the meantime, all Chrisland schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations,” it stated.
The statement added that the government was committed to ensuring the safety and protection of children in Lagos, especially ensuring “that all child-centred institutions within Lagos.”
The state government also warned citizens that sharing the sex video amounts to child pornography and could attract up to a 14-year jail term.
“This is especially in ensuring that all child-centred institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AAO8 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program.
“We also use this medium to remind the general public of the implications pertaining to engaging in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child committing an offence.
“They are liable to a custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years. This includes producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography,” it added.
Meanwhile, the state police command said Interpol might be involved in investigating the viral sex tape
Spokesman for the command, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin said in a statement that the commissioner of police, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, had ordered an investigation into the incident.
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to an alleged rape video purportedly depicting students of Chrisland School, Lagos, going viral on social media,” said the police.
“The command is equally taking cognisance of the cybercrime angle to the whole episode and will not hesitate to enlist the support of the Interpol should the need arises.
“For a holistic and unbiased investigation, the command shall be working with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and non-governmental organisations,” he said.
He quoted Alabi as saying that the investigation would identify individuals involved in the recording of the sex tape, the true incident in the video, and the geographical location of the sex acts.
“The investigation will also cover the alleged threat to life against the 10-year-old pupil and the circumstances surrounding the alleged repeated pregnancy tests conducted on the student without her parental consent.
“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi…has assured that due diligence will be observed to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice,” he added.
