Whitney: Chrisland School Principal, others arraigned for manslaughter

The Lagos State government on Thursday arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal, and two employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.

The school’s workers who were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs. Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.

The defendants were arraigned on two count charges bordering on involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts preferred against them by the state.

While in the dock, the school’s principal, Mrs. Belinda Amao, broke down in tears as the court and counsel tried to agree on a date for the commencement of the trial.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.

Alleged manslaughter: Court admits Chrisland staff to bail

An Ikeja High Court on Thursday admitted four staff members of of Chrisland School Ikeja, to bail for alleged involuntary manslaughter of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran.

The Lagos State Government charged Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu  Victoria with involuntary manslaughter and reckless negligent acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Oyindamola Ogala  admitted the defendants bail, after defence counsel  moved the motion for bail dated  March 28 and March 29 respectively.

There was no  objections from the  prosecution, led by the Lagos State Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

Ogala admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each  with two sureties each in like sum

She also admitted the third and the fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge said all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible  and verified evidence of financial status and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

“All the sureties must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and  must submit their international passports with th Chief registrar of the state high court,” Ogala said.

The court, however ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaken in order for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail.

The defence counsel were Mrs Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant),  Richard Ahonarougho (SAN) second defendant), Olukayode Enitan, SAN, ( third defendant),  Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant)  and Mr Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, (fifth defendant) while Mrs Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased.

The  five defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to  grant bail  to the defendants on self recognisance.

NAN reports that according to the charge information signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr  Babajide Martins, on March 24, the defendants allegedly committed the offence  on  Feb. 9, about 1. 00 p.m. in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos.

The prosecution said that the defendants negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety.

The state also submitted that the defendants acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

Onigbanjo, while arraigning the defendants,  informed the court that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants.

“We shall be praying for a date to open trial,” he said.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Ogala subsequently adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *