By Our Correspondent
In continuation of the case of the Girl Child Keren Happuch Akpagher, who was raped and subsequently died, an Abuja High Court sitting in Kwali has adjourned the defamation suit filed by Premiere Academy against Child Rights Advocate, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, to November 12, 2024. The academy is seeking N500 million in damages and an order to stop Dr. Ughegbe from making public statements about the alleged rape and death of 14-year-old Keren-Happuch Akpagher, a boarding student at the school.
Dr. Ughegbe, who spoke after the court adjournment, expressed confidence in the judicial process. “The court is open for everybody. Anybody can come to court. We just hope that judges themselves can rise above boards without looking at parties and their status, that the judge himself can just focus on the case and do justice according to the letters of the law,” he said.
He described the defamation suit as “an arm-twisting tactic” and questioned the school’s motive. “What is the real issue about defamation? The case made out by the claimant, Premiere Academy, is that I defamed them when I spoke as a guest panelist at the Nigerian Bar Association 2021 Law Week,” Dr. Ughegbe explained.
At the NBA event, Dr. Ughegbe referred to Premiere Academy as “prime suspects” in Keren’s alleged rape and death. The school claims this statement defamed them. However, Dr. Ughegbe argued that anyone against whom a criminal complaint is filed is considered a suspect.
“The question for determination for the judge is whether describing someone as a suspect in a criminal case amounts to defamation,” Dr. Ughegbe said. “If the letters of the law are applied, I’m confident that the right decision will be reached by this judge.”
Keren-Happuch Akpagher died on June 22, 2021, due to complications from an alleged rape. A condom was left inside her, infecting her with sepsis, which spiked her blood sugar levels and compromised her immunity. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for justice for Keren.
The House of Representatives had ordered a DNA test for all male staff at Premiere Academy and resolved to conduct a public hearing, but it was never held. Dr. Ughegbe remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, saying, “We just hope that judges themselves can rise above boards… and do justice according to the letters of the law.”