The prosecution witness, Jubril Yakubu, in the ongoing trial of staff members of Chrisland School, Opebi, Lagos, over negligence in the death of Whitney Adediran, yesterday, said it was not within his purview to investigate the stadium where the 12-year-old allegedly died.
Yakubu, a Deputy Director with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, spoke while being cross-examined by the first defence counsel, Bimpe Adegbomogun, before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of a Lagos High Court Ikeja.
The Lagos State Government had, on March 31, 2023, arraigned Chrisland Schools, its principal, vice principal, and two others over negligence.
Adediran reportedly died on February 9, 2023, during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Agege Stadium, Lagos State.
However, the witness who had served for 24 years, said it was not part of his responsibility to investigate the stadium.
He said: “The implementation of the policy doesn’t belong to me; it belongs to the whole school assessment committee, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and Ministry for Youth and Development.
“My duty is on four principles, which are general well being of children, consultation and transparency, early recognition and intervention.
My duty here is to identify issues that can bring about harm to children in school, and I do not agree that my office and ministry has failed woefully.”
He further told the court that in his report, he mentioned that the cause of death could be established through autopsy.
After listening to his testimony, Justice Ogala adjourned till March 21, for continuation of trial.
