Tobias Sylvester
Lagos State Government said it would charge Chrisland School and some members of staff over the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran.
KanyiDaily recalls that Whitney was reported to have died on during the school’s inter-house sports activities at Agege Stadium, Lagos.
Following her death in February, Whitney‘s mother, Blessing Adeniran accused Chrisland of negligence over the death of her child.
But the school’s management said Whitney complained about “not-too-buoyant health” a few days before she died.
Chrisland also dismissed insinuations that there was foul play in the death case while citing that she slumped in public.
However, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed that the student died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.
In a statement released on Friday, March 24, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice said a case has been established against Chrisland school, some members of staff, and one of the vendors for “Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts.”
“On the 9th of February 2023, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, a student of Chrisland High School, Ikeja, aged 12 years, slumped during the Inter-house Sports organised by the school at the Agege Sports Stadium and was subsequently rushed to the Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed ‘brought in dead’ (BID) by the doctor on duty,” the statement partly read.
“The case was referred to the Nigerian Police Force which carried out thorough investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the Dieectir if Public Prosecution, PP’s Office on Monday, March 20, 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.
“On March 23, 2023, the DPP issued his Legal Advice and came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts had been established against the School, some members of Staff and one of the Vendors.
“They will therefore be charged with the offences of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
“Information will be filed in accordance with the legal advice issued by the DPP. Certified True Copies of the Legal advice are available on the Ministry of Justice website (www.lagosstatemoj.org.).”
KanyiDaily recalls that Whitney Adeniran was buried amidst tears in a ceremony attended by her family members and friends on Tuesday, February 28.
