Whitney Adeniran: Chrisland school, staff to be charged with manslaughter, negligence

The Lagos ministry of justice says a case of involuntary manslaughter and negligence has been established against Chrisland High School Ikeja following the death of Whitney Adeniran.

Whitney, who was a student of the Lagos school, died on February 9 during a sports event at Agege Stadium.

Blessing Adeniran, Whitney’s mother, accused Chrisland of holding back information on the cause of her death.

Consequently, the state ministry of education ordered a temporary closure of the school pending an investigation.

The state later revealed that an autopsy on February 15 showed that the girl died from asphyxia and electrocution.

The school has already tendered a public apology on the matter, but an inquest into it is to begin on April 4.

The Lagos ministry of justice now says a case of involuntary manslaughter has been established against the school.

This, the ministry said, is contained in legal advice issued on March 23 by its department of public prosecution on the matter.

The ministry said those to answer to the charges that are to follow include the school, some staffers, and a vendor.

“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,” it stated.

“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.”

Chrisland Group runs a number of top-rated schools spread across Lagos and Abuja, with branches in Ikeja (Opebi and Ladipo Oluwole), Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Festac Area (Amuwo-Odofin), and Idimu.