Rivers monarch denies conducting virginity tests on students

The traditional ruler of Taabaa community in Rivers State, Mene Nule, has denied allegations that he conducted virginity tests on female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa. Officials at the school had written to the State Ministry of Education, alleging that the monarch and his team intended to perform the tests as part of a plan to take over the school farm and allegedly assault female students.

The school's vice-principal, Bieh Gloria, signed the letter, dated October 12, which accused the monarch of selecting and collecting data from female students in order to conduct virginity tests in exchange for scholarships and school supplies. The state Ministry of Education launched an investigation following these allegations, stating that the tests involved members of a traditional institution in the community.

However, when contacted, Mene Nule expressed concern that his intentions of supporting the school and students were being misconstrued. He claimed he had been giving back to the school since 2004 and introduced a "virginity roll call" in 2020 after hearing reports of teacher misconduct. Despite allegations that he subjected students to virginity tests, Nule denied these claims, stating that he only asked students to stand up if they were virgins and that only one female student participated.

He further denied providing students with health care or forcing them to undergo testing, emphasizing that his actions were aimed at helping the students and improving the school's environment.