Deeper Life High School has on Tuesday said there is no attempt to cover up the case of an 11-year-old schoolboy, Don Davis, who was allegedly molested at its campus in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
A parent at the school, Mrs Deborah Okezie, alleged some senior pupils sexually molested her son by pushing their hands and legs into his anus and threatened to kill him if he reported to anyone.
She also alleged that the young boy was being maltreated in the school and was not being properly fed despite full payment of necessary fees.
Read Also: Mom Cries Out Over Alleged Maltreatment Of Son At Deeper Life High School In Akwa Ibom (Video)
On his part, Iniobong Archibong, father of Don Davis, revealed that the school authorities told the family to withdraw the case to cover up the assault.
Read Also: Akwa Ibom Gov Orders Probe Into Alleged Child Abuse At Deeper Life College In Viral Video
Reacting to alleged assault, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, mandated Commissioner for Education, Dr Enobong Mboho, to commence investigation into the alleged case of child abuse at the school.
Also, management of Deeper Life High School in its first statement said the alleged happenings were not tolerated in the institution and investigation was ongoing.
Read Also: Deeper Life High School Launches Investigation Into Alleged Abuse Of Student
Many Nigerians have since called for justice for the young boy through #JusticeForDonDavis on social media.
Giving an update about the situation in a video statement released on Tuesday evening, the Education Secretary of the school, Mrs Thelma Malaka, said investigation was still ongoing and justice would be served when all findings have been finalised.
She stated;
Permit me to remind you that the Office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State has taken over the investigation of the matter to ensure neutrality and a dispassionate outcome.
We appreciate the concerted efforts of everyone who has shown support in the investigation thus far. We reiterate that we will be transparent and that justice will not only be served, it will be seen by all that it has been served.
Malaka stressed;
Recall that we had earlier suspended the principal of the affected campus and initiated an investigation into the matter. We decided to restrain ourselves from further comments after the first update because we thought it is sub judice to comment on a matter currently under investigation.
However, considering the potential impact of this issue, especially on what we stand for, we are compelled to provide an earlier update before the final report by the government.
The panel has sat and we have presented staff members and students of our school who have been mentioned in this particular case all through the period of the investigation.
The Education Secretary further said there was no attempt to cover up the matter and enjoined the public to be on the lookout for the outcome of the findings.
She expressed;
Deeper Life High School stands on the core value of integrity and uprightness and will not attempt to cover up any immoral act under any guise.
We enjoin the public to be on the lookout for the final report as will be released by the appropriate authority soon. We believe that the government will share the final report once the investigation is completed.
Read the full statement below;
Watch a video of the Education Secretary of the school, Mrs Thelma Malaka speaking below;
Update
Re:Molestation of a JSS1 student, Don Davis, of Deeper Life High School, Akwa Ibom State. pic.twitter.com/lroxnEd5lt
— Deeper Life Bible Church (@dclmhq) December 29, 2020
