News
Keren-Happuch rape: Premiere academy deliberately distorting facts – NGO
As rage over death of a 14 year Keren-Happuch Akpagher who was raped at the Premiere Academy, Lugbe, continues, the Coalition of Gender Based Violence Responders (CGBV) said, the school is working to distort facts of the incident.
Late Keren-Happuch who was a boarding student of the Premier Academy died following infections caused by the condom left inside her by the rapist.
Leader of the Coalition, Lemmy Ughegbe and Mrs. Edoamaowo Udeme, in a statement in Abuja accused the acting Principal of the School, Mr. Chris Akinsowon of concocting lies to confusw Nigerians.
They were reacting to the acting Principal’s interview on a national television last weekend, insisting that Mr Akinsowon was explanation on the rape was against all notorious evidences to cover up.
The coalition disclosed that the medical report from Queens Clinic in Wuse, Abuja, where Keren-Happuch died, shows clearly that she was “raped, condom left inside her, which infected her and resulted in her death.
“We note with concern mischievous, malevolent and deliberate attempt by Mr. Chris Akinsowon to confuse Nigerians and the general public by distorting facts. In the interview he granted the television station, (he claimed that the grieving and inconsolable mother of Keren-Happuch, Mrs Vivien Akpagher had said that ‘a decayed condom with live sperm was found inside her daughter.’
During the interview, Mr. Akinsonwon said “the parent said a decayed condom was found with live sperm. If you look at those two, do they really add up?”
“The intention of the principal is to confuse the public and create doubt in their minds as to the circumstances of death of the 14 year old. This is the height of insensitivity and desperation to cover the school and secure his business interest, which he prioritises above truth and justice in this matter. What the late girl’s mother had maintained is the fact that condom was found in her daughter with dead spermatozoa. So, he is introducing live sperm cells to the narrative to confuse everyone.
“Let us make it abundantly clear that the statement of Mrs. Vivien Akpagher is consistent with the medical report, which the coalition obtained and the medical report corroborates her disclosure unequivocally.
We had refrained from sharing detailed information from the medical report until now. But the mischievous effort of Premiere Academy to confuse the people has made it compulsory that we do so to enable discerning members of the public know the truth in black and white.”
The last paragraph of the medical report reads thus: “Genitalia – Excoriated labia with copious milky discharge. Supra-pubic pressure expelled copious and thick materials including dissolving latex rubber material (condom). Microscopic examination of urine sample revealed the presence of dead spermatozoa in the fluid.”
Ughegbe said rather than Premier Academy resorting to organize press conferences and issue press statement to wilfully distort facts and confuse the public, he was “renewing his invitation to the school management for a – media dialogue to discuss the rape and death of Keren-Happuch and other cases of sexual molestation, which it has the record of covering instead of handing paedophiles to the police.”
“The board and management of Premiere Academy, Lugbe told us they have never had any case of sexual abuse in the school, but that was a big lie. We have intelligence that a teacher of Physical and Health Education and a cook where suspended indefinitely for sexual molestation of students. We have the letter of indefinite suspension on account of this sexual crime. So, the school rather than handover such a pedophile to the police prefers to cover it in order to protect its name and business interest”, he stated.
“We are determined to put an end to all the evil happening in Premier Academy, Lugbe and indeed in our boarding schools in Abuja especially. And no matter what it takes, we must get justice for Keren-Happuch, her grieving mother and the entire family”, he vowed.
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel has scored himself high in terms of constituency projects deliveries to his constituents.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in his office with journalists, he said “he facilitated Agricultural Training Programs for youths and existing farmers, equipping them with modern techniques to enhance productivity, distributed fertilizers to farmers to address critical agricultural challenges, ensuring increased output and improved local food security.
“Constructed and fully equipped a modern health centre in Akunnu-Akoko, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the community, distributed health equipments and materials to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, thereby strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving health outcomes.”
“Trained and Empowered Women and Youth in Confectioneries. He organised training in cake baking and other confectioneries, followed by the disbursement of start-up grants to empower beneficiaries to establish their businesses. Training of women on soap making with start-up funds.
In the same vein, he organized ICT training programs for youths, distributed HP Core i7 laptops, and provided start-up grants to promote innovation and employment in the tech sector.
“Trained youths in tailoring, provided sewing machines, and disbursed start-up grants to enhance self-reliance and job creation. Constructed a 1.5-kilometer road in Oka-Akoko, improving connectivity, facilitating economic activities, and easing transportation for farmers and traders. Spearheaded the construction of the Ikare Modern Civic Center, which serves as a hub for cultural, social, and civic engagements. Facilitated the construction of 28 lock-up shops in Oka -Akoko, providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and boosting local commerce.
Dist. Sen. Olajide who is passionate about education, distributed free JAMB forms to students across the Senatorial District, enabling many young people to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Also, he sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Ikare-Akoko. A public hearing was successfully held on December 28, 2024, reflecting progress toward establishing this vital institution for skill development and education. Lighting up towns and villages with Solar Panels including Adekunle Ajasin University.”
These achievements underscore his commitment to fostering development in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, he also prioritizes accountability and efficiency in national projects, which directly impacts the equitable allocation of resources to Ondo North Senatorial District and Ondo State at large.
Moreso, he empowered Small Businesses through skill acquisition programmes and provision of lock-up shops, he has laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship to flourish within the district. Strengthening Youth Engagement, by bridging the gap between education, technology, and employment. He is equipping youths with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”
Edo State Government has lashed at the factional chapter of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and the appointed publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, for rushing to the press without first understanding the subject at hand.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in Benin and made available to journalists said, Nehikhare’s latest press release was another embarrassing display of ignorance, completely missing the point Governor Monday Okpebholo raised.
The Governor was referring to the $10 million that Godwin Obaseki budgeted for The Observer Newspaper shortly before the 2024 governorship elections in Edo State, not the refurbished equipment bought from ‘Ogbete Market’ in Enugu State.
Obaseki, a portfolio scam artist, who presided over the looting of Edo’s commonwealth, hurriedly siphoned $10 million, using The Observer Newspaper as a conduit, barely a few days to the governorship election in Edo State in late 2024.
Nehikhare’s desperate attempt to twist the conversation is not just misleading but exposes the habitual dishonesty of the PDP.
On the issue of the so-called “sophisticated machines,” Nehikhare conveniently ignores the real concern—these overused and inefficient machines now require billions of naira to function properly. Obaseki may have procured them at a roadside market, but he left behind a financial burden that the present administration must now clean up.
More troubling is Nehikhare’s confused outrage about the sacking of Observer staff. How does he expect those no longer employed to be available at the premises? His logic is as flawed as the policies of the administration he blindly defends.
Instead of this laughable attempt at deflection, Nehikhare should explain why, in his final days, Obaseki found it necessary to allocate a staggering $10 million to a State-owned newspaper that is practically invisible on newspaper stands across the State and country—at a time when critical sectors like education and healthcare remained underfunded.
If Nehikhare wishes to debate the facts, he should do so with accuracy, not fiction. But then again, fiction seems to be the PDP’s favourite tool.
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