National & Local News Today - Latest News in Nigeria Today
Chrisland School, Others to face manslaughter charges
Chrisland School to face charges from the Lagos State Government over student’s charges.
The Lagos State Government claims that Chrisland School, some staff members, and a vendor have been charged with involuntary manslaughter as well as reckless and negligent acts in connection with the death of Whitney Adeniran, a pupil.
In a statement released on Friday, the Office of the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice said the suspects would face charges for violating Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
On February 9, Adeniran allegedly slumped during her school’s interhouse competition. An autopsy found that the 12-year-old died from electrocution and asphyxia.
Following the controversial circumstance surrounding the student’s death, the state government through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to ascertain the cause of death.
The Coroner, Magistrate Olabisi Fajana, later disclosed that the coroner’s inquest to unravel the cause of death of the 12-year-old would commence on April 4.
The statement 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 organized by the School at the Agege Sports Stadium and was subsequently rushed to Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos where she was confirmed “brought in dead” (BID) by the doctor on duty.
“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 DPP’s 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.
“They will therefore be charged with the offences of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
