Whitney Adeniran: Chrisland To Be Sued For Manslaughter, Negligence

The Lagos State Government has revealed that it plans to sue Chrisland High School, some staffers, and a vendor for “Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts” following the death of Whitney Adeniran.

Whitney, who was a student at the school, died during its inter-house sports competition held at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

The decision to take Chrisland High School to court was disclosed in a statement late on Friday by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and published on the ministry’s website.

“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 the Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos, where she was confirmed ‘brought in dead’ (BID) by the doctor on duty”, part of the statement reads.

It added that the case was taken to the police and that a thorough investigation with the help of other agencies was carried out.

“The file (of the case) was subsequently forwarded to the DPP (Directorate of Public Prosecutions)’ 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.”

The statement further noted that the parties involved would 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".