Lagos govt arraigns Chrisland School, Principal, others over death of Whitney Adeniran

The Lagos State government arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal, and two employees on Thursday in connection with the death of one of the school’s students, Whitney Adeniran, 12 years old.

Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria, and Chrisland School Limited were the defendants who were arraigned before Judge Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court.

The defendants were arraigned on two count charges bordering on involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent acts.

While in the dock, s, 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.

According to the charge information prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Jide Martins, on February 9, 2023 at about 1pm, in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division killed one Adeniran Omodesola Whitney by acting in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered her life.

Arraigning the defendants, the Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, informed the court that the state had filed two count charges against the defendants, urging the court to take their plea.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Subsequently, the Attorney General informed the court that the state has seventeen witnesses, and requested for a date for trial to open.

The oral application was not opposed by all the defendants’ counsel.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala, who presided over the matter, thereafter fixed May 25, June 1, 8, and 15 for commencement of trial.