Whitney: Lagos arraigns Chrisland schools, others for negligence

Lagos State government, yesterday, arraigned Chrisland Schools Limited and four of its staff before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, over the death of 12-year-old student, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran,  who died during the school’s inter-house sports in Agege, Lagos.

The defendants: Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu Victoria were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a two-count charge.

At the trial, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), asked the court to accept the information filed against the defendants and allow them to take their plea.

The defendants were arraigned for alleged involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent manner that endangered life of Whitney.

Their offences contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. They pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Following their plea, the Attorney General told the court that the state has lined up 17 witnesses to testify during trial and prayed for a date to open the trial.

However, the defence counsel informed the court of their bail applications dated March 29, 2023.

They are Mrs. Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant), Mr. Richard Ahonarougho (SAN)  (second defendant), Olukayode Enitan (SAN), (third defendant), Mr. Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant)  and Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) (fifth defendant), while Mrs. Oluwatodimu Ige held a brief for the deceased’s family.

The defence, while moving their various bail applications urged the court to grant bail to the defendants in liberal terms and self-recognisance.

Ruling on the defence bail applications, which were not opposed,  Justice Ogala said she has carefully perused the applications and therefore admitted them to bail.

The judge granted the first and second defendants bail to the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

But the third and the fourth defendants were admitted bail to the sum of  N20 million, each with two sureties in like sum.

The judge ordered that all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of financial status as well as residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge also ordered that the sureties must have made two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government and must submit their international passports with the Chief Registrar of the State High Court.

Justice Ogala further directed the defence counsel to write an undertaking for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail conditions, and adjourned to May 25, 2023, for commencement of trial.