Model College scandal: Lagos AG pressured to obey ₦20M Court order over blinded teen

By Akin Kuponiyi

The family of a student of Model College Badore, Qudus Akinsemoyin, who was left blind in his left eye following a brutal act of corporal punishment by a senior student, has called on the Lagos State Attorney-General to comply with a court judgment that awarded the victim N20 million in damages.

The assault occurred on 3 July, 2010 when Olashile Balogun, then a senior student of the school in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, struck Qudus in the eye with a cane, leaving him permanently blind in that eye.

Qudus, who was a junior student at the time, sued through his guardian, Alhaja Kuburat Ajoke Azeez-Akinsemoyin.

In a letter to the Attorney-General, Barrister Bode Olaosebikan, acting on behalf of the victim’s family, urged the Lagos State Government to honour the court ruling, stressing that the judgment had not been appealed.

Justice O.F. Aigbokhaevbo, in her ruling, condemned the conduct of Balogun and faulted the school authorities for failing to provide a safe environment.

She maintained that the senior student had no authority to discipline a fellow student and that even if such a practice existed, it could not justify an act that inflicted grievous bodily harm.

“Discipline of students should be carried out by the school authority and not by a fellow student,” the judge said.

“Any form of discipline that results in serious injury, particularly damage to a person’s eye, is excessive and a breach of the duty of care.”

The court held Model College, the Lagos State Ministry of Education, and the Attorney-General jointly liable for negligence, ruling that all three failed in their duty of care towards the student.

The court awarded N20 million as general damages, N27,150 as special damages for medical expenses, and N200,000 as costs of the action.

The judgment was based on extensive evidence, including medical reports from LASUTH confirming the permanent loss of sight in the victim’s left eye.

Although the defendants requested additional tests during the court proceedings to validate the extent of the injury, the court found their failure to act on the medical recommendations troubling.

The family is now calling on the state government to comply with the ruling and deliver long-overdue justice.

“This is not just about compensation,” said Barrister Olaosebikan.

“It’s about acknowledging the life-altering harm done to a child under the care of a state-run school and upholding the rule of law.”