A deputy director with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Jubril Yakubu, has testified that the ministry did not investigate the management of the Agege stadium where the 12-year-old Chrisland School student Whitney Adediran allegedly died.
Yakubu, who is a witness in the ongoing trial of Chrisland School and four others over the tragic incident, told Justice Oyindamola Ogala that it was not within his purview to investigate the stadium as a social welfare officer.
The state government had dragged Chrisland School Limited and its principal, vice principal and two employees before the court on a two-count charge of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015
Those arraigned before the court are Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria, and Chrisland School Limited.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants, on February 9, 2023, at about 1 pm, at the Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, killed one Adeniran Omodesola Whitney by acting recklessly and negligently that, endangered the deceased life.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
While being cross-examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Bimpe Adegbomogun, Yakubu testified that the implementation of the school’s Safety Policy of the Lagos State government is not a job for only one person but that of the whole school assessment committee, the Domestic and Sexual Violation Agency and the Ministry for Youth and Development.
He said, “My duty is on four principles, which are general well-being of children, consultation and transparency, early recognition and intervention,” the witness stated.
Yakubu, who is also the principal of the correctional home for junior boys at Sabo Yaba, further testified that in his report, he mentioned that the cause of death should be established through autopsy.
The case has been adjourned to March 21 for continuation of trial.
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