The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered Louisville Girls Secondary School in Gwagwalada to pay N100 million in damages following the death of a 9-year-old boarding student, Kamzie Ikpeatusim. The case, which centered around allegations of negligence, was brought by the girl’s father, Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, who held the school responsible for failing to provide adequate medical care when his daughter fell seriously ill.
Kamzie was admitted to the school as a boarding student in September 2017. However, just a few weeks later, on October 2, she became critically ill. According to her father’s claims in suit number CV/1738/18, the school’s management and medical staff did not respond quickly or adequately to her condition. Tragically, Kamzie died a few days later.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who presided over the case, ruled in favor of the grieving father. In his judgment, the court stated that the school and its staff had indeed acted negligently. “The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school. There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” Justice Oriji said.
The court also directed that the N100 million awarded as general damages must include a 10 percent annual interest starting from April 8 until full payment is made. Additionally, the court awarded Mr. Ikpeatusim N300,000 as the cost of the lawsuit.
While Mr. Ikpeatusim had requested that a building within the school be named after Kamzie as a memorial, the court did not grant that request. Instead, Justice Oriji noted that since the incident, the school had made improvements to its healthcare system. This includes the presence of medical doctors who now visit and attend to students twice daily.
The judge said these upgrades serve as a way to remember Kamzie. “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.”
