The Lagos State government is set to begin the prosecution of the management of Chrisland High School, Opebi over the death of its student, 12-year-old Omodesola Whitney Adeniran.
The staff of the school would be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, March 30, 2023 before Justice Oyindamola Ogala, of the Lagos State HIgh Court in Ikeja.
Those to be arraigned include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs. Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria, and Chrisland School Limited.
The defendants will face a two-count charge offence bordering on involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts contrary to Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State filed by the state.
Whitney Adeniran was said to have slumped on February 9 during the Inter-house sports organised by the school held at the Agege Sports Stadium.
She was rushed to Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed as “brought in dead” BID, by the doctor on duty.
The case was referred to the Nigerian Police Force which carried out a thorough investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, Office on Monday, March 20, 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.
On March 23, 2023, the DPP issued a Legal Advice having established a prima facie case of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts against the school, some members of staff and one of the vendors.
The Director of DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins, leading other lawyers, will prosecute the case on behalf of the state.
It was gathered that the defence team will include Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr. Yele Delano (SAN), Chief Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN), and Mr. Kayode Enitan SAN, leading other counsel.
The autopsy report conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja stated that Whitney Adeniran died of asphyxia and electrocution.
The deceased’s mother, Blessing Adeniran on March 3 confirmed the autopsy report during a live Instagram video.
She claimed:“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 make it three weeks since my baby died. The school made me think I was crazy.”
Mrs. Adeniran alleged that the school claimed the deceased was ill.
According to her, “They started pushing the narrative of she was sick; she was sickly. They sent letters and publications out.
“People insulted me and my family. My child was electrocuted to death. I told the school that I don’t want trouble. All I want is answers. They came to my house and knelt.”
Mrs. Adeniran alleged that the school failed to properly investigate the incident.“I begged, I pleaded, I said ‘Mrs. Amao please, I don’t know how an autopsy is done but I have browsed it and the images are scary. Please, my daughter is already dead, don’t make me put her through that, they will butcher her. I beg you in the name of God, you are a mother, help me investigate and find out what happened. She said she didn’t know.
“My daughter was butchered for autopsy. She was opened up. They took part of her kidney, liver, stomach contents, blood, brain, and bone marrow. Omodesola was butchered.”
The school’s management had earlier said in a statement, that the deceased child slumped in “public view and not under any hidden circumstances,” and was immediately rushed to the nearest medical facility for first aid.
