By Enioluwa Adeniyi

A teacher at Christ-Mitots International School in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Stella Nwadigo, was arraigned on Thursday before Magistrate M.O. Kusanu at the Ogba Magistrate Court for physically assaulting a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael.

Nwadigo, who was arrested after a viral video showed her repeatedly slapping the child during a lesson, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency confirmed the development via a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

The statement read, “Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, 9th January 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court.

“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.”

During the proceedings, Nwadigo’s defence counsel applied for bail, which was granted by the court at N200,000 with two verifiable sureties.

“The suspect has been remanded in a correctional facility, and the case is adjourned to 18th January 2024 for trial,” the agency added.

The case has sparked widespread outrage since the video surfaced online, with many calling for stricter penalties for teachers found guilty of abusing their pupils.

Naija News recall that Nwadigo in a viral video repeatedly slapped Abayomi while attempting to teach him how to write the number six.