The Lagos State Government has filed two counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts against Chrisland School Limited over the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran, who died during the school’s inter-house sports activities in February.
Chirsland, alongside four others – Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao and Nwatu Victoria – who are also staff of the school, will be arraigned on Thursday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins, filed the charges on behalf of the state government.
According to the DPP, on February 9, 2023, at about 1 pm at Agege Sports Stadium, they all negligently killed Whitney Adeniran by not ensuring her safety, adding that they all acted recklessly and negligently that endangered human life.
The offenses, which are contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, carry a penalty of life imprisonment and two-year jail terms respectively.
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The PUNCH had reported how the Lagos State Government said it would sue Chrisland High School, Ikeja, some members of staff, and one of the vendors for “Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts,” following Whitney’s death.
However, a copy of the charge sheet and the DPP’s legal advice which was obtained by Channels Television, and dated March 22, states that the duplicate case file reveals that “on the 9th of February, 2023, Chrisland High School, Ikeja, organized an Inter-house Sport at the Agege Sports Stadium for its students and during the program, one of the students – Whitney Adeniran, aged 12 years was electrocuted.
“Indeed, a 9-paged autopsy report conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja put the cause of death as asphyxia and electrocution.”
The legal team of the Lagos State Government will be led by the DPP, Dr Babajide Martins, while the defense team is made up of four senior advocates of Nigeria, namely; Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr. Yele Delano (SAN), Chief Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN) and Mr Olukayode Enitan (SAN) leading other counsel.
Whitney was buried in Lagos on March 2, 2023.
