SERAP sues FG over Queens College deaths

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned four UN special rapporteurs over the deaths of students of the Queens College, Lagos.

SERAP urged the rapporteurs to request the Nigerian government and the authorities at the college to end suffering of students and ensure justice for the loss of lives of three pupils of the school.

Those petitioned are: Ms Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Mr Leo Heller, Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation; Ms Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; and Professor Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.

In the petition dated 19 June 2017, and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale, the organization expressed “serious concern that alleged corruption by the leadership of the school has ruined the lives of several pupils, and squandered their potential for personal development.

“These girls have depended on the integrity of the authorities both at the Federal Ministry of Education and the school levels but have been badly let down by those entrusted with the power to provide them with access to quality education in a safe environment.”

The petition was also copied to Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.