Aralola child assault allegation case continues in court as the nursery teacher denies wrongdoing and pleads for public support
Aralola, a nursery school teacher, is facing an ongoing court trial over a child assault allegation stemming from an incident reported in 2021, as legal proceedings continue in Lagos.
Also read: Ikeja court sets April 16 ruling in Okafor suit
Aralola said she had secured employment that year as a Nursery 1 teacher at a private school where male teachers were not employed and male pupils were separated from female pupils.
According to her account, the matter began one evening when the mother of a three-year-old pupil called her.
The mother reportedly said her daughter had refused to allow her to bathe her and claimed that a boy in her class had touched her inappropriately. The child’s father subsequently took her to hospital.
The following day, Aralola, her teaching assistant and the school proprietor visited the child’s parents.
Aralola said they met the father outside the home, and he dismissed the issue as an overreaction.
Later that same day, however, the father returned with police officers, and the three school representatives were arrested.
Aralola alleged that after being taken to a second police station, she was maltreated and suffered the loss of a pregnancy.
As the case progressed, the child’s account reportedly changed several times. Aralola said the child later accused the school owner, and at another point, the school bus driver.
Eventually, the boy initially mentioned was no longer implicated. Charges against the proprietor, the driver and the pupil were subsequently dropped.
The case has since been taken to court, with the focus now solely on Aralola.
Her lawyer later received a document indicating that the child had undergone a forensic interview and had identified Aralola as the person who touched her.
Under Nigerian law, the offence carries a potential life sentence if proven in court.
During the course of the proceedings, Aralola said she became pregnant again and was advised by her doctor to reduce stress after nearly suffering a miscarriage.
She said this medical advice affected her ability to attend some court hearings.
In a dramatic development, Aralola alleged that a police officer posing as a delivery rider approached her, leading to her arrest.
She was later detained at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for four days before bail was processed.
The school reportedly claimed she had absconded and was failing to attend court.
Now a mother of two, Aralola broke down in tears as she spoke about the toll of the legal battle.
The child at the centre of the case is now eight years old. The next court hearing is scheduled for next month.
Aralola maintains that she is innocent of the allegation. She said she has been praying, fasting and seeking spiritual support while pleading for public assistance.
“I do not want to spend the rest of my life in prison for something I know nothing about,” she said.
Also read: Ikeja court sets April 16 ruling in Okafor suit
The matter remains before the court.
