The proprietor of Phronesis Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, Mrs. Orjiugo Udeala, has been indicted before a magistrate court in Rivers State for administering severe punishment which reportedly caused bodily injury to a 16-year-old pupil.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Udeala appeared before the magistrate court in Rumuepirikom (Kala) Police Station of the Rivers State Police Command over an indictment of a two-count of conspiracy and assault occasioning harm.
The charge sheet, which is tagged REMC 94C/2026 and signed by CSP Ahmed Umar, alleged that Mrs. Udeala and one other person not yet known conspired to assault Gift Nwala Onyeche in their school located along NTA Road, Rumokwuta, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on 8 June, 2026.
The prosecution claims the school proprietor beat the student with a cane and assaulted him in his ear and head leading to injuries.
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In count one of the charges, Mrs. Udeala and one other unknown person conspired to commit a felony, that is, assault occasioning harm, contrary to Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The second charge stated that the accused illegally assaulted the student by beating him all over the body as well as hitting him on the ear and head, an offense which is liable under Section 355 of the same statute.
After the reading of the charges in the court, Mrs. Udeala maintained her innocence on the charges.
Bail was set at N100,000 each with one surety in the like sum by Presiding Magistrate Charles Wobisike Akpeh. The surety must be a resident within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.
The matter has therefore been adjourned till 10 August, 2026, for continuation.
On its part, a human rights non-governmental organization, Lawyers Watch for Justice International Initiative, has confirmed that it has been following the case since its investigation at the police division up to the arraignment in court.
