The cross-examination of Mr Yakubu Abisogun, a deputy director from the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, in the trial of the Principal and some staff members of Chrisland School Opebi over the death of Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student, continued on Thursday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the State High Court, Ikeja.
While answering cross-examination from one of the defence lawyers, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olukayode Enitan, the witness stated that the Lagos State Government controlled Agege Stadium, where Chrisland School staged its inter-house sports tournament.
The witness also confessed that the school’s rented stadium lacked emergency facilities in the event of an accident or emergency. He stated that “there was no need for it”.
On February 9, 2023, Chrisland School in Opebi, Lagos, held an Inter-house Sports event for its children at the Agege Sports Stadium, and one of the students, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, aged 12, was claimed to have been electrocuted. A doctor who checked her shortly after she was transported to a local hospital reported that she had died.
The Lagos State Government filed a criminal complaint against the school, the principal, and other defendants via the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, alleging that they all negligently killed Whitney Adeniran by failing to ensure her safety.
At the case’s resumed hearing, Mr Abisogun, the third prosecution witness, continued his testimony.
When questioned if it was the Sports Commission’s responsibility to build and maintain sufficient medical facilities to manage emergencies, the witness said, “No.”
He was also asked to read an Official Gazette of Lagos State No. 9, Volume 50, which was allowed as evidence. He stated that the Lagos State Sports Commission was established by law, and that statute No. 4 stipulates the commission’s function, which includes the establishment and maintenance of clean fields and premises for staging sports contests, matches, and other events.
He also acknowledged that the stadium is covered by an executive order contained in the Lagos State Government’s Safeguard Policy as a recreation centre, but stated that he was unaware that people paid to use the stadium.
After his testimony, Justice Ogala postponed further cross-examination of the witness until April 18, 2024.