Chrisland Principal and Others Granted Bail in Alleged Manslaughter Case

At an Ikeja High Court on Thursday, four staff members of Chrisland School Ikeja were granted bail after being arraigned for the alleged involuntary manslaughter of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran. The Lagos State Government had charged Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu Victoria with involuntary manslaughter and reckless negligent acts. All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Justice Oyindamola Ogala admitted the defendants’ bail after defence counsels moved the motion for bail dated March 28 and March 29 respectively. The prosecution, led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, did not object. Ogala admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum, and the third and fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum. All sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of their financial status, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. They must also submit their international passports with the Chief registrar of the state high court. The defence counsels were Mrs Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant), Richard Ahonarougho SAN second defendant), Olukayode Enitan, SAN, (third defendant), Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant) and Mr Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, (fifth defendant) while Mrs Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased. The court ordered the defence counsels to write an undertaken for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail. According to the charge information signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins on March 24, the defendants allegedly committed the offence on February 9 at Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos. The prosecution claimed that they negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety and acted recklessly and negligently that endangered human life. Onigbanjo informed the court that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants and requested a date to open trial. The alleged offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Ogala adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial.