The trial of Chrisland School and some of its teachers for the death of one of its students, the late Whitney Adeniran resumed on Wednesday at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja with the testimony of the 4th prosecution witness, Wahab Ariyo, an officer with the Lagos State Safety Commission.
While answering questions under cross-examination from Olukayode Enitan (SAN), NAIJAONPOINT told Justice Oyindamola Ogala that his investigations into the cause of death of the late Chrisland student did not reveal that any of the defendants were responsible for electricity in the stadium where the school held its inter-house sports competition.
Ariyo, however, admitted that an inspection of the premises of the stadium revealed some infractions.
He testified that Chrisland School was not present or on the ground on the day he inspected the Agege Stadium.
According to NAIJAONPOINT : “Our agency’s report on the cause of death of Whitney Adeniran, a student of Chrisland Schools, was based on interrogation and pictures taken after her demise at the Agege Stadium.”
“Nobody told me Whitney died from electrocution, but we made the discovery during the investigations. The report is a reflection of what we observed on the day of the inspection.
“In our report, we noted that a re-assessment was said to have been conducted, but we were not there because we were not called upon.
“I do not know the role the 3rd defendant played because I was not at the stadium on the day of the inter-house sports.
“The accident report was not presented to the Safety Commission before the final report was sent to the Ministry of Education.”
Ariyo admitted that he did not request the medical report of the deceased student, Whitney, nor did he visit her parents to obtain her medical history.
In his words: “I did not, before now, see the medical report issued by Inland Specialist Hospital on the late Whitney.
“Our investigation did not indicate that the 3rd defendant was responsible for electricity at the stadium, and none of the defendants were found to be in charge of electricity at the stadium.”
Justice Ogala has adjourned until December 11, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
At a previous proceeding, Ariyo had told the court that the management of Chrisland Schools Opebi failed to obtain an event permit from the government agency before holding its sports competition.
He had also disclosed that the school also failed to take a compulsory risk assessment test.
In March 2023, the Lagos State Government filed a 2-count charge of Involuntary manslaughter, Reckless and Negligent Acts against Chrisland School Limited and four others over the death of the 12-year-old student, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran.
The affected staff are the principal, Mrs Belinda Amao, the Vice Principal, Nwatu Victoria and a teacher in the school, Kuku Fatai. The other defendant is a cotton candy vendor at the Agege Stadium, Ademoye Adewale.