Chrisland: Agege stadium workers not interviewed during investigation, says witness

A prosecution witness in the trial of Chrisland School on the death of Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student, said he did not interview any staff member of Agege Stadium during the investigation.

The witness, Mr Wahab Ariyo, a Lagos State Safety Commission officer, disclosed this before an Ikeja High Court on Wednesday.

He was being cross-examined by Mr Ademola Animashaun, counsel to the fourth defendant.

The witness told the court that he had a pre-information that the deceased died of electrocution, and went to the scene to investigate.

“I did not have the information that the deceased was suspected to have died due to health cause.

“I did not say we went there to unravel electrocution but to unravel the root cause of death.

“We did not interview any staff of the stadium on the root cause of the incident that led to her death,” he said.

The witness further said he was unaware that Agege Stadium had emergency management system, emergency communication, retainer hospital and fire fighting equipment in place.

He also added that no electrical engineer was with them during the investigation.

“We did not take an electrical engineer with us.

“I am a mechanical engineer,” Ariyo answered.

After the cross-examination, Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until Jan.29 for continuation of trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government had on March 31, 2023, charged Chrisland School Ltd. Opebi, its principal, vice principal and two others with the killing of Whitney.

Those charged alongside the school include Ademoye Adewale (a cotton candy vendor), Kuku Fatai,(the school instructor), Belinda Amao (Principal) and Victoria Nwatu, (the school Nurse).

The defendants are standing trial on a two-count charge of involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts.

The prosecution alleged that the negligence of the defendants caused the death of the student who died during the school inter-house sport.

According to him, the alleged offences violate Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.