A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has been told how Chrisland School, Opebi violated the Lagos State Safety and Child Protection Policy.
A witness, Yakubu Jubril told the court that had the school complied with the policy, the sad incident of February 9, 2023 which led to the death of Whitney Adeniran could have been avoided.
Jubril who is the Assistant Director and Head of Unit, Schools Social Work Services and Grade Level 16 officer, disclosed this while being led in evidence before Justice Oyindamola Ogala by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Jide Martins.
Whitney Adeniran died February 9 2023 during the school’s inter-house sports competition held at Agege Stadium.
The 1st to 5th defendants are Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, the Principal, Belinda Amao, Victoria Nwatu and Chrisland School respectively.
Jubril told the court that the school has 556 students out of which 377 were prepared to participate in the inter house sports.
“That day, over 500 were transported to the venue by the school without necessary care” he said.
Listing how Chrisland School violated the Safety and Child Protection Policy of the state, the witness further told the court that “the school has no designated Child Protection officer as required by Order 4,5 and 6.
“For the population of over 500, the emergency preparedness is close to none as the school had just one nurse on ground.”
The witness who was stating the outcome of investigation conducted into the incident further told the court that there was no ambulance available on ground to convey student to hospital in case of emergency.
He said findings also revealed that there was no retainer hospital in proximity to the venue on the inter-house sports.
“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”, he said.
Jubril also told 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.
Counsel to 3rd defendant, Olukayode Enitan raised objection when the witness started explaining the various sections of the Order violated by the school.
Enitan told the court that the witness cannot lead evidence on what happened on the day of the inter-house sports.
“He didn’t see it. All he had was hear-say. It is what people told him”, he argued.
Other defence counsels, Chief Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN) for 1st and 2nd defendants, Ademola Animashaun and Ajibola Ariba for 4th and 5th defendants supported the objection.
But the DPP, Dr Martins informed the court of the existence of the report of their findings and same served on the defence counsels.
Justice Ogala adjourned the matter till Wednesday, March 13 for continuation of trial.