The Cleaner's Daughter

In The Cleaner's Daughter, Ella attends Oakridge High on a scholarship with strict conditions that forbid trouble-making. Her mother Mrs. Obi works as the school cleaner and warns Ella that the bullies Martha, Boma, Shola, and Tokpe have parents who fund the school. Tosin, the entitled son of a board member, repeatedly harasses Ella and steals her inhaler during an asthma attack before attempting to kiss her. Wale, a wealthy student who defies his mother Mrs. Martins' class prejudice, intervenes physically and intensifies the conflict. The storekeeper Jessica is manipulated into planting exam papers in Ella's bag, leading Principal Mrs. Akinlade to revoke Ella's scholarship and fire Mrs. Obi despite the principal's admission that her hands are tied by the board. Mrs. Martins then accuses Ella of stealing her gold necklaces and calls the police, publicly humiliating mother and daughter while revealing she knows about Ella's past scandal at Okri High. Ella and Mrs. Obi are evicted from their school-provided housing. Meanwhile Wale falls critically ill and needs a kidney transplant. Ella volunteers to donate despite her mother's terror. Mrs. Martins initially refuses and calls Ella a gold digger, but a doctor runs the test after Mrs. Martins offers to pay any price. The transplant proceeds, but post-surgery Mrs. Martins abandons Ella in the hospital with complications and unpaid bills. Two women attempt to suffocate Ella in her hospital bed but are caught by a doctor who calls security. Mrs. Obi confronts Mrs. Martins at her home, furious that she abandoned Ella after the kidney donation, and accuses Mrs. Martins of wanting Ella to die while revealing the uncashed check and untouched money. Mrs. Martins is shaken and her composure cracks as Mrs. Obi vows to show the venom of a mother. In the hospital the doctor confirms Ella's condition stabilizes. The truth of the setups including the exam papers, the necklaces, and the bully surfaces through Jessica's confession.