Mene Nule: Refutes Rivers Virginity Test Allegations Amid Probe

• Mene Nule, a traditional ruler in Rivers State, denies allegations of conducting virginity tests on female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa.
• The school formally reported to the Rivers State Ministry of Education that the monarch and his council had been selecting students for such tests for seven years, linked to scholarships.
• The Rivers State Ministry of Education has launched an investigation, condemning the alleged practice and expressing concerns about student rights and privacy.
• Mene Nule claims his actions, including a "virginity roll call" in 2020, were part of his long-term support for the school and aimed at addressing teacher misconduct.
• The ministry's statement highlighted that the alleged selection of students for testing on September 17, 2026, led to student objections and a peaceful protest.

The Rivers State Ministry of Education condemned the reported incident, describing the allegations as serious and raising concerns about the dignity, privacy, and fundamental rights of schoolchildren.

Mene Nule, the traditional ruler of the Taabaa community in Rivers State's Khana Local Government Area, has publicly refuted claims that he orchestrated virginity testing among female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa. The monarch dismissed these accusations as a deliberate effort by certain individuals within the community to undermine his reputation.

The controversy began when authorities at the school formally notified the Rivers State Ministry of Education about an alleged scheme by Mene Nule and his associates to conduct virginity tests on female students. A letter from the school, dated October 12 and signed by Vice-Principal Bieh Gloria, detailed these concerns. The communication, titled “Report Against Invasion, Plan To Take Over Of The School Farm, Damages, Assault And Dehumanisation Of Female Virgin Student Of Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa By His Royal Highness Mene M.S.K Nule And His Subordinates,” specifically alleged that for the past seven years, the traditional ruler and his council members had been entering the school premises to select female students for virginity tests, purportedly in exchange for scholarships and two 60-leaf exercise books.

Following the school's report, the Rivers State Ministry of Education announced it had initiated a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of forced virginity testing. In a statement issued on October 22, 2026, and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, the ministry unequivocally condemned the reported incident. The statement, which was also published on the ministry's Facebook page, highlighted that the alleged activities involved members of a traditional institution within the Taabaa community.

The ministry's account indicated that individuals claiming to represent the traditional institution visited the school under the pretext of offering scholarships and educational materials before allegedly proceeding to select students for testing. This selection, reportedly occurring on Thursday, September 17, 2026, sparked objections and a peaceful protest among the students. The Ministry of Education underscored the gravity of these allegations, emphasizing that they raise significant concerns regarding the dignity, privacy, and fundamental rights of schoolchildren.

In response to the accusations, Mene Nule expressed dismay, stating that his long-standing benevolent intentions towards his alma mater were being misinterpreted. He recounted his history of supporting Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, which dates back to 2004 when he was an undergraduate, providing chalk to the school from JSS 1 to SS 3 without interruption. After becoming king in 2012, he expanded his contributions to include books and school bags.

The traditional ruler explained that he introduced a “virginity roll call” in 2020 as a measure to address reports of teachers molesting female students. He described visiting the school with his team and teachers, going from class to class, and asking virgins to identify themselves. According to Nule, only one female student stood up during this exercise, after which he advised the students to prioritize their education and avoid early sexual activities. He reiterated his belief that those seeking to tarnish his image would go to great lengths, even using individuals favorable to their agenda.

The ongoing investigation by the Rivers State Ministry of Education into these alleged forced virginity testing practices at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, carries significant legal and ethical weight. The allegations directly challenge the fundamental rights of minors, including their privacy, dignity, and bodily autonomy, within an educational setting. Such actions, if proven, represent a serious breach of child protection principles and could have far-reaching implications for the oversight of traditional institutions' influence on schoolchildren in Nigeria.

The outcome of this inquiry could establish important precedents regarding the accountability of traditional rulers and their councils when their activities intersect with public education. It highlights the critical need for clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard student rights against practices that may violate human rights, ensuring that traditional community interventions align with modern legal and ethical standards for child welfare and protection.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the Rivers State Ministry of Education's investigation into alleged forced virginity testing by a traditional ruler, as it highlights potential human rights violations against minors and could lead to legal precedents or policy changes regarding the oversight of traditional institutions' actions impacting schoolchildren.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH