Rivers school owner arraigned for allegedly assaulting 16-year-old student

The Rumuepirikom Police Division in Rivers State has arraigned Mrs. Orjiugo Udeala, proprietress of Phronesis Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in Rumokwuta, Port Harcourt, over the alleged assault of a 16-year-old male student.

The arraignment took place on Wednesday before a Magistrate’s Court. According to the charge sheet, marked Charge No. REMC 94 C/2026, the accused faces two counts: conspiracy and assault occasioning harm.

The prosecution stated that on June 8, 2026, Udeala and another person now at large conspired to commit a felony. The second count alleges that she unlawfully assaulted Gift Nwala Onyeche, a 16-year-old student, by caning him repeatedly across his body and striking him with a fist on his ear and head, thereby causing him harm.

Udeala pleaded not guilty to both charges. The presiding magistrate, Charles Wobisike Akpeh, granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like amount, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case has been adjourned to August 10, 2026, for further hearing. A human rights group, Lawyers Watch for Justice International Initiative, has been monitoring the case from the investigation stage through to the arraignment.