Fresh facts have emerged that Chrisland School failed to comply with the Safety and Child Protection Policy for schools and child-centred institutions in Lagos State.
This is according to the third prosecution witness, Jubril Yakubu, a social worker, in the ongoing trial of the staff and management of Chrisland School, Opebi.
The defendants standing trial are Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, the Principal, Belinda Amao, Victoria Nwatu and Chrisland School.
Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old pupil of the school died during the school’s inter-house sports competition held at Agege Stadium on February 9, 2023.
Non-compliance with child protection policy -Witness
While being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins before the trial judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, the witness gave evidence of non-compliance with child protection policy.
Jubril who is the Assistant Director and Head of Unit, Schools Social Work Services and Grade Level 16 officer from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, MYSD, testified, “556 students out of which 377 were prepared to participate in the inter-house sports. That morning, over 500 of them were transported to the venue by the school.”
Speaking on the ministry’s investigation, Jubril stated, “We discovered that the safety and child protection policy has been violated, as over 500 students were transported without necessary care.’
No designated child protection officer -Witness
Regarding other infractions, he said Chrisland School has no designated child protection and safeguarding officer as required by Orders 4,5 and 6 of the Executive Order of 2016.
“For the population of over 500, the emergency preparedness is close to none as the school had just one nurse on the ground.”
The witness added that the outcome of the investigation conducted into the incident, Jubril further told the court that there was no ambulance available on the ground to convey the student to the hospital in case of emergency.
He also said there was supposed to be a safety demand that there should be a retainer hospital in proximity to the venue for the inter-house sports.
Explaining further, Jubril claimed that “The availability of a designated child protection officer could have prevented what happened that day as such person could have led responsibly in terms of risks and emergencies.”
Jubril also disclosed to the court that the school has no bio-data of students participating in the inter-house sports competition to enable them determine their health situation and status.
The 3rd defendant’s counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, objected when the prosecution witness started explaining the various Sections of the Order violated by the school.
He argued that the witness could not provide evidence of what happened on the day of the inter-house sports.
According to him, “He didn’t see it. All he had was hear-say. It is what people told him.”
Also, counsel to other defendants, Chief Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN) representing the 1st and 2nd defendants, Ademola Animashaun and Ajibola Ariba representing the 4th and 5th defendants supported the objection.
The DPP, Dr. Martins, however, informed the court of the existence of the report of their findings and same served on the defence counsel.
Further hearing in the matter was adjourned by Justice Ogala till Wednesday, March 13 for the continuation of trial.
