A Limbe-based woman, Besong Vivian Mbu, is seeking justice for her daughter, a pupil of St Michael Nursery and Primary School Ngeme, Limbe, who was reportedly assaulted by a teacher called Oben Ebai.
Ebai is said to have severely beaten the child, leaving her with bruises that landed her in the hospital, traumatised and unable to attend school for 10 days.
MMI learnt that the school’s proprietress, Alingwa Quincy Ngeniwe epse Anuafor—wife of the Divisional Officer of Douala 5, Anuafor Cletus Asongwe— attempted to cover up the incident.
Genesis of the Problem
The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, February 26, when the pupil arrived at school and accidentally bumped into another learner, causing the latter’s water bottle to spill.
Taking responsibility, the child reportedly picked up a rag to clean the water on the floor.
That was when the teacher, Oben Ebai, allegedly descended on her with a beating that left her bruised.
The child left the school premises and was hospitalised at the Limbe Regional Hospital, MMI learned.
Medical reports confirmed she sustained a mild head injury and suffered acute stress after the beating.
The 10-year-old was reportedly declared unfit to attend school for 10 days.
Transfer of Aggression?
Sources say the assault on February 26 may have stemmed from personal resentment Ebai harboured against the child’s mother.
Besong Vivian, a widow, had previously lodged complaints with the school administration regarding the teacher’s teaching methods.
Parents pay an annual fee of FCFA 600,000, and the school had promised top-tier academic performance.
But Vivian felt that Oben Ebai was falling short of those standards and demanded accountability.
When summoned to explain himself, Ebai allegedly walked out of the meeting, saying, he would stand by any decision taken.
From then on, Vivian’s daughter began to suffer what appeared to be targeted mistreatment.
According to reports, she was frequently beaten and isolated from other pupils.
The situation worsened on February 26, when the teacher allegedly escalated his aggression, causing the mother to seek legal action.
School’s Alleged Cover-Up Attempt
Sources told MMI that the school concealed CCTV footage that could have confirmed the pupil’s beating.
Vivian has demanded disciplinary measures be taken against the teacher, but the administration has allegedly opted for a cover-up instead.
MMI learned the school promised to handle the matter internally but has not done anything yet.
Meanwhile, the accused teacher, Oben Ebai, is said to have boasted that the family of the child cannot do anything to him.
Frustrated by the school’s inaction, the case has now moved to the courts.
MMI has seen a complaint filed at the Limbe Magistrate Court by Proximity Law Firm on behalf of the child’s mother.
However, MMI has been unable to get a comment from the school or the accused teacher regarding the allegations.
