Alumni reject outcome of Queens College’s alleged sex abuse probe

The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected outcome of the investigation conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education into the widely reported allegations of sexual molestation in Queens College, Lagos.

Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend in Abuja, the association’s President General, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu said: “NEC registered unanimous displeasure at the manner of the conclusion of the investigation by the Federal Ministry of Education regarding the widely publicised allegations of sexual molestation in Queens College, Lagos.

“NEC considered that the manner in which the investigation was concluded did not adequately reflect the seriousness with which allegations of sex abuse and predatory sexual behaviour in schools should be treated.”

The association stated that the excuse that the alleged victim did not come forward to testify to the investigation panel was not sufficient to warrant the conclusion that the allegations were unfounded.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the association’s Secretary General and Publicity Secretary, Salim Ibrahim and Katherine Pam respectively, USOSA said that the deliberations “revealed quite clearly testimonies confirming that sex abuse has been and remains a widespread and frequent occurrence in our schools attracting no consequences to perpetrators and sometimes resulting in the victims being punished with expulsion.”

It, therefore, resolved to liaise with the ministry and relevant law enforcement agencies with a view to developing appropriate policy responses to the problem of sex abuse in schools, including developing standards and protocols for ethics and accountability for teachers; curriculum reform and adequate mechanisms for protection of complainants.

USOSA pledged to work with all providers of education and government at all levels to safeguard children in schools.