Four staffers of the Chrisland School Ikeja, Lagos were on Thursday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for alleged involuntary manslaughter of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran of the college situated in Lagos State.
Penpushing reports that the Lagos State Government charged the staff which include charged Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu Victoria to court, as the prosecution told the court that the defendants negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, while their counsel team comprises Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant), Richard Ahonarougho (second defendant), Olukayode Enitan (third defendant), Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant)
Penpushing further reports that while Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased, the five defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on self-recognisance, having moved the motion for bail dated 28 and 29 March respectively.
The Judge Justice Oyindamola Ogala admitted the defendants to bail and there were no objections from the prosecution, led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo.
Penpushing also reports that the judge admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum, and equally admitted the third and the fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
The judge declared that all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of source of living and reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government
Penpushing reports that she added that the sureties must submit their international passports with the Chief registrar of the state high court, and ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaking in order for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail.
The charge sheet signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Babajide Martins, on 24 March, stated that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on 9 February, at about 1:00 p.m. in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos State.
Penpushing further reports that the Lagos State Government also submitted that the defendants acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life, adding that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants.
The prosecutor alleged that the offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, emphasisng that the state government shall be praying for a date to open trial, while the Judge subsequently adjourned the case until 25 May for the commencement of trial.
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