Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, was given N100 million in general damages by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for the negligence that resulted in the death of 9-year-old Kamzie Ikpeatusim.
The case was presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who announced the verdict on Tuesday. He found that the school had breached its duty of care by failing to provide the girl with proper medical care, which led to her premature death.
The deceased’s father, Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, filed the lawsuit, CV/1738/18, accusing the institution of egregious negligence. The claimant states that Kamzie became unwell on October 2 after being accepted as a boarding student in September 2017. She passed away a few days later, purportedly as a result of the school delaying necessary medical attention.
“There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” Justice Oriji stated, adding that the court found merit in the plaintiff’s claims and awarded an additional N300,000 as the cost of the suit. He also ordered a 10 percent interest on the N100 million judgment sum from April 8 until full payment is made.
In his decision, Justice Oriji stressed that the evidence showed that the school and its employees were irresponsible in their failure to act appropriately and immediately in response to Kamzie’s worsening health.
The judge recognized the school’s efforts to upgrade its sickbay since the terrible event, notwithstanding the claimant’s request that one of its buildings be named after Kamzie as a monument. He said that doctors now see students twice a day, which is a positive development.
“The court thinks 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. The claimant should take solace in the fact that Kamzie has been honoured by the school through these improvements,” Justice Oriji stated.
