Student’s death: Chrisland School remains shut ― Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has declared that the Chrisland International School, where a student died during the school’s inter-house sports competition on February 9, remains shut.

The Lagos State Government stated that the continued closure of Chrisland School after the death of the 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran, was to further investigate the alleged endangerment of students and others.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo, made this known via a statement issued on Sunday.

Adefisayo said: “The closure of the school paved the way for unhindered investigation and afforded all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff, and friends of the deceased, time to grieve.

“In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the child, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to ascertain the cause.

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“The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) conducted the autopsy on February 15.

“It was conducted by Prof. Sunday Soyemi, Consultant Pathologist, LASUTH, in the presence of Dr Samuel Keshinro, Consultant Pathologist, representing the deceased’s family, and Dr Olugbenga Oyewole, Consultant Pathologist representing Chrisland Schools.

“The autopsy report, dated March 1, revealed the cause of death as asphyxia and electrocution.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice consequently directed that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issue legal advice on the matter.

“Without prejudice to the criminal proceedings, the school will remain shut to further interrogate the endangerment of students and others.”

The commissioner noted that a team from the Office of Education Quality Assurance also had a meeting with the management of the school to ascertain adherence to child safeguarding policies.

“The meeting examined the planning of the inter-house sports event and the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

“It was discovered that there were lapses,” she added.

Adefisayo said a government delegation visited to commiserate with the family of the deceased on March 2, assuring that anyone found culpable in the death of Adeniran would be made to face the law.

The commissioner stated that government agencies have also started fact-finding visits to Agege Stadium, Lagos, the venue of the inter-house sports competition.

The Star