Lagos State Government says all is now set to sue Chrisland High School, Ikeja, to Court for alleged “involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts,” that led to the death of Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student, during the school’s Inter-house sports.
According to a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, State Ministry of Justice, the state will also charge some members of staff and one of the school’s vendors for the same offence.
The statement published on the ministry’s website, reads; “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 further stated that the case was referred to the police “which carried out a thorough investigation with the help of other agencies,” adding that, “The file (of the case) was subsequently forwarded to the DPP (Directorate of Public Prosecutions)’ Office on Monday 20th March 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.
“On the 23rd of March, 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.”
Consequently, the statement noted that they shall “be charged with the offences of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts contrary to Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.