The Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Oyindamola Ogala, has been told that Agege Stadium, rented to Chrisland Schools, Opebi, Ikeja, lacked emergency facilities on the reason that there was no need for them.
The above assertion came from the Lagos State Government (LASG) through a Deputy Director in the state's Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Yakubu Jubril, while testifying as a prosecution witness in the ongoing case of LASG against Chrisland Schools, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State.
In being cross-examined by Olukoyede Enitan (SAN), in the ongoing trial of the staff of the school, Jubril, who is the third prosecution witness, confirmed to Justice Ogala that sports facilities in the state are owned by the state government.
Upon being asked if it was part of the responsibility of the Sports Commission to establish and ensure that there are proper medical facilities to treat emergencies, the witness responded in the negative.
Jubril, who was equally asked to read the Official Gazette of Lagos State No. 9, volume 50, which was admitted as an exhibit, confirmed that the Commission was created by the law of Lagos State.
The Deputy Director also added that law No. 4 states the function of the Commission. The function, according to the witness, states that it shall establish and maintain a playing field and premises for holding sports competitions, and matches, among others.
In his words: “The districts have school social work service in charge.
“District six covers Oshodi, Ikeja, Opebi Allen, Agege, Isolo, Abule Egba and the boundary of Ogun State. I don't know all the social workers in District Six."
Jubril further hinted to the judge that he does not know if it is normal for people to pay for usage of sports facilities, even as he admitted knowing Agege Stadium as part of a recreational centre.
Thereafter, the witness was requested to read before the open court Order Four of the Executive Order, 2016 in which he admitted that it applies to the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development, and not every other officer in the Lagos State public sector.
It would be recalled that the LASG had made the allegation that the school and the staff were negligent over the death of a student, Whitney Adeniran, during an Inter-house-sports competition that was held at the Agege Stadium, Lagos State.
Specifically, the LASG had filed a charge against Chrisland Schools Limited, Opebi alongside its principal, vice-principal and two others for the death of Whitney on March 31, 2023.
The late 12-year-old student was said to have been electrocuted on February 9, 2023, during the school’s inter-house sports competition.
Those charged alongside the school are Ademoye Adewale (a cotton candy vendor), Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao (Principal) and Victoria Nwatu.
The case has been adjourned until April 18, 2024, for further hearing.
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