By Faith Igbudu
Very Rev Fr Terungwa, performing the handover ceremony at Mt St Gabriel’s Secondary School, Makurdi.
Principal, Mt St Gabriel’s Secondary School (MSG), Makurdi, Fr John Asen, has been directed to immediately vacate his office for compulsory administrative leave.
The directive came from the Catholic Diocesan Bishop of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, Thursday following a preliminary investigation in a petition against Fr Asen bothering on the physical abuse and torture of some students.
Back view of the MSG student who was punished.
In line with the directive, Catholic Education Secretary, Very Rev. Fr Terungwa Tor has asked the Principal to hand over to the Vice Principal Academics, Mr Philip Ahembe who will be the Acting Principal of MSG.
In a phone chat with The Voice, Fr Tor said the diocese took the position to allow for proper investigation of the allegation and restore the confidence of parents in the management and welfare of the school.
“He is leaving because he needs to give chance for proper investigation and conclusion. He beat some children and it appeared to be child abuse and the thing has gone viral. The bishop can not allow his school to be used to molest children against child protection policy and human rights. He acted on his own, nobody has given him that authority,” he explained.
The Voice gathered that the said children were earlier in the week punished for not paying attention in class but rather hanging behind to play chess. However, it was learnt that the said students were keeping themselves busy as they do not offer the subject taught at the moment.
