The Lagos State Government will today (Thursday) begin the trial of Chrisland School, Opebi, and some employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.
The school’s workers to be arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs. Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.
The defendants are to be tried on a two-count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State filed by the state.
Adeniran slumped on February 9, 2023, during an inter-house sports activity by the school at the Agege Sports Stadium.
Earlier a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice explained that on February 9, 2023 upon slumping during the event, Adeniran was rushed to the Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed ‘brought in dead by the doctor on duty.
An autopsy later carried out at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, indicated that the pupil died of asphyxia and electrocution.
The case was referred to the police which carried out an investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions office on Monday, March 20, 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.
On March 23, 2023, the DPP issued his legal advice having established a prima facie case of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts against the school, some members of its workers and one of the vendors.
The DPP, Dr Babajide Martins, leading other lawyers, will prosecute the case on behalf of the state.
Chrisland School defence team reportedly will include Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, Mr Yele Delano, SAN, Chief Richard Ahonaruogho, SAN and Mr Kayode Enitan, SAN, leading other counsel.
The victim’s mother, Blessing, on March 3, 2023, confirmed the autopsy result during a live Instagram video.
She said: “The autopsy result is out and Desola was electrocuted. My daughter died of electrocution. I have been subjected to trauma for the past two weeks. Tomorrow, March 4, will be three weeks since my baby died. The school made me think I was crazy.”
Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon
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