- Defendants Admitted To Bail
Kemisola Oye
THE Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School Limited, and four of its staff before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja over the death of a 12-year-old student, Omodesola Whitney Adeniran, who died during the school inter-house sports competition.
The defendants: Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu Victoria were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on two counts charge.
At the resumed hearing, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) prayed the court accept the information filed against the defendants and allow them to take their plea.
According to the charge information prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, on 9th February 2023 at about 1 pm, at Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division the defendants killed one Adeniran Omodesola Whitney by acting recklessly and negligently that endangered her life.
The defendants were therefore arraigned for alleged involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent manner that endangered the deceased life.
Their offences allegedly contravened sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
They pleaded not guilty to all the counts charges.
Following their plea, the Attorney-General told the court that the state has seventeen witnesses lined up to testify during the trial and he prayed for a date to open trial.
Meanwhile, the defendants’ counsel including Mrs. Bimpe Ajegbomojon, for the first defendant; Richard Ahonarougho (SAN), for the second defendant; Olukayode Enitan (SAN) for the third defendant; Ademola Animashaun for the fourth defendant and Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) for the fifth defendant, while Mrs. Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased.
The defendants’ unopposed bail applications dated 29 and 29, March 2023 were moved by their counsel. The counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendants in liberal terms and self-recognizance.
Ruling on the bail applications, Justice Ogala held that having carefully perused the bail applications of the defendants found merits in them and therefore admitted them to bail.
Justice Ogala granted the first and second defendants bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties each in like sum.
She also admitted the third and the fourth defendants to bail of N20 million each with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ordered that all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of their financial status and reside within the jurisdiction of the court
The judge ordered that the sureties must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must submit their international passports to o the Chief Registrar of the state High Court.
The court further ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaken in order for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail condition.
Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned to 25 May 2023 for the commencement of trial.
Eighteen-Eleven Media