The Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) has arraigned Chrisland School Ltd and four staff members for the alleged manslaughter of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran.
They were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Ikeja High Court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria were arraigned on a two-count charge of manslaughter and negligent acts.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.
Recall that Whitney died on February 9 during a sports event at Agege Stadium.
Following her death, Blessing Adeniran, Whitney’s mother, accused Chrisland School 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 disclosed that an autopsy on February 15 showed that the 12-year-old girl died from asphyxia and electrocution.
While the school recently tendered a public apology on the matter, an inquest into the case will commence on April 4.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice established a case of manslaughter and negligence against the school.
The ministry’s DPP had stated that the school and four staffers were to be charged to court accordingly.
