Lagos State government yesterday arraigned Chrisland Schools, three staff members of the school and a vendor before an Ikeja High Court for the death of a student of the school, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, 12.
The 1st to 5th defendants arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs. Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria, and Chrisland Schools Limited.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, and Director, Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr Jide Martins, led the Prosecuting team.
The 1st to 5th defendants were represented by Mrs Bimpe Ajegbomojoh, Chief Richard Ahonaruogho, SAN, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, Ademola Animashaun, SAN, and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, leading other counsels.
Oluwatodimu Ige held a watching brief for the family of the deceased student.
The defendants were arraigned on a two-count charge offence bordering on involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts contrary to Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch 17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State filed by the state.
They all pleaded not guilty.
Onigbanjo told the court that the prosecution has 17 witnesses, and prayed the court for a date to open his case against the defendants.
Counsel to the first defendant, Ajegbomojoh told the court that they filed an application for bail for the first defendant who, she said, has been in custody since February.
She prayed the court for bail in liberal terms, asking that the court allow the 1st defendant to be coming to court from home.
The prosecution confirmed service of bail applications of 1st and 3rd defendants.
Onigbanjo told the court that the prosecution was not opposed to the various bail applications but added that the terms should be such that would make the defendants come for trial.
Justice Ogala granted bail to the 1st and 2nd defendants in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum while the 3rd and 4th defendants were granted bail in the sum of N20 million each also with two sureties in the sum N10million each.
She ordered that all the sureties must provide proof of financial status and three years tax payment, among other conditions.
In the course of trial, the 3rd defendant and principal of the school, Mrs. Belinda Amao, broke down in tears.
The defendant who had difficulty going through the exercise was consoled by her colleagues before trial could resume.
Justice Ogala adjourned trial till May 25, April 1, 8 and 15, 2023.
Whitney Adeniran slumped on February 9 during the Inter-house sports organised by the school at the Agege Sports Stadium.
She was rushed to Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed as “brought in dead” (BID) by the doctor on duty.
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