Controversy trails mysterious death of 14-year-old schoolgirl in Abuja

THE mysterious death of a 14-year old student of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, Miss Keren-Happuch Akpagher, has triggered controversy in the nation’s capital.

Akpagher reportedly died after a used condom, allegedly left inside her private part by unknown persons in school, was discovered by doctors, fueling speculations that she might have been sexually molested.

Sources at Queens Hospital, Wuse Zone 6, where she eventually died, attributed her death to vaginal infection and sepsis, adding that “She died of trauma from sexual molestation.”

However, family sources alleged that the teenage girl acted delirious before she was rushed to the hospital before her death.

The source said the school had granted her request for exit to go home on personal grounds. However, Keren-Happuch became restless and incoherent less than 48hrs after her return.

“Thank God we picked her from the school. She exhibited an acutely disturbed state of mind before she died. Our daughter was traumatised in school.

“She became unconscious while in the hospital, and when the doctors tried to pass a catheter and a urine bag to aid her evacuation of body waste, some strange substances were found in her private part. Upon medical examination, the substance was discovered to be a decayed condom and sperm cells were found in her urine. It’s painful, she didn’t wake from the coma to tell us who did this evil to her,” the family source said.

She was diabetic, sedated, tied on both hands and feet before death

But the matron of school clinic, Mrs. Grace Salami, disagreed, saying that the claim by the Akpagher family did not add up. She said, “In the first place, condom is latex and it is not supposed to decay, and if it has been in her private part for days, the sperm cells should not be found in her urine.”

Salami continued, “Keren-Happuch was admitted into the school in 2019 with a medical history of diabetes that was first diagnosed when was nine years old. The school has been giving her insulin injections twice daily and sometimes special diets were prepared for her to enable her lead a normal life in school.

“But on June 17, she complained of having a red itchy eye. So, we provided her with basic care and an eye drop to use in school. But her mother insisted on her seeing an opthalmologist in town and we obliged.

“But when the girl returned from the visit to the opthalmologist, she insisted on going home on personal grounds. After consultation between her parents and the school management, an exit was granted her.

“Two days later, her mother called me to say that the daughter was acting delirious, and that, I should come right away to the hospital where they had rushed her for medical attention.

“On getting there, I discovered that the girl was totally in a coma. I was shocked. When the mother called me, she said the girl was delirious. So, why is she in a coma? I had asked.

“I was told that she was struggling so the doctor had to sedate her. I was not comfortable with that patient management because the girl was diabetic. Her hands and feet were equally tied to the bed to restrain her. Her sugar level had risen to about 400 which is fatal. So, I asked the mother, if Keren-Happuch took her insulin injection while she was at home for two days but there was no positive response,” she said.

The medical director at Queen’s hospital could not be reached for further explanation on the strange substances discovered in her private part, because he was not available when a visit was paid to the medical facility.

Meanwhile, the FCT police command has commenced investigation into the case, and the result of a post-mortem was being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

Nonetheless, the Principal of Premiere Academy, Mr. Chris Akinsowon, has vowed that no stone would be left unturned to get to the root of the matter.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, he said: “The school has commenced an internal investigation of the circumstances surrounding her death. No stone will be left unturned in our quest to get to the root of this matter as a School and parents to find the real cause of the unfortunate demise of dear daughter and further forestall such incidents in the future.

“As an institution, the safety and security of our students are most paramount to us, including their protection against sexual assaults of any type and kind in our school. In the light of this incident, we have honoured the invitation from the Nigerian Police investigating the case surrounding her death, where we cooperated with them and stated our commitment in assisting them in their quest to unravel the controversies.

“Since the demise, the school has visited the family several times – 15 management officers on the day of her death, delivered a condolence letter on the second day. While we appreciate the sensitivity of the issues at the moment, we appeal for restraint on the part of the media, at this time we are all grieving, from sharing unconfirmed information that could jeopardise the case and cause further harm to the family of our dear student. It also jeopardises the effort of the law enforcement agencies towards solving the case,” he said.

(Vanguard)