Lagos State set to charge Chrisland school with involuntary manslaughter

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice is set to charge Chrisland High School, Ikeja and some of its staff members with “Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts” over the death of Whitney Adeniran.

According to a statement released by the Director of Public Affairs, Chrisland will be facing charges for the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran, who passed away during a sports event on February 9, 2023.

“On the 9th of February 2023, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran a student of Chrisland High School, Ikeja aged 12 years, slumped during the Inter-house Sports organised by the School at the Agege Sports Stadium and was subsequently rushed to Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed “brought in dead” (BID) by the doctor on duty.

“The case was referred to the Nigerian Police Force which carried out a thorough investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the DPP’s Office on Monday 20th March, 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.

“On the 23rd of March, 2023, the DPP issued his Legal Advice and came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts had been established against the school, some members of staff and one of the vendors.

They will therefore be charged with the offences of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“Information will be filed in accordance with the legal advice issued by the DPP. Certified True Copies of the Legal advice are available on the Ministry of Justice website (www.lagosstatemoj.org.).”