BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
An Ikeja High Court has admitted four members of staff of Chrisland School Ikeja to bail for 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 but the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala admitted the defendants to bail after the defence counsel moved the motion for bail dated March 28 and March 29 respectively.
There was no objection from the prosecution led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).
Ogala admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum. She also admitted the third and fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
The judge said all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of financial status and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
“All the sureties must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must submit their international passports with the chief registrar of the state high court,” Ogala said.
The court, however, ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaking in order for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail.
The defence counsel were Mrs. Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant), Richard Ahonarougho (SAN) (second defendant), Olukayode Enitan (SAN) (third defendant), Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant) and Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) (fifth defendant), while Mrs. Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased.
The five defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on self recognisance.
According to the charge information signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, on March 24, the defendants allegedly committed the offence on February 9, about 1. 00 p.m. in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos.
The prosecution said that the defendants negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety.
The state also submitted that the defendants acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.
Onigbanjo, while arraigning the defendants, informed the court that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants.
“We shall be praying for a date to open the trial,” he said.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Ogala subsequently adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial.
