A Deputy Director in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, who is a prosecution witness in the ongoing case of Lagos State Government against Chrisland School, on Thursday, stated that the stadium rented to Chrisland School lacked emergency facilities because according to him “there was no need for it.”
Mr Jubril Yakubu made this assertion before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja
at the resumed hearing of the ongoing trial of the staff of Chrisland School
The state had alleged the school and the staff of negligence over the death of a student, Whitney Adeniran, during an Inter-house sports competition that was held at the Agege Stadium, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Government had filed a criminal charge against Chrisland School Limited. Opebi and its principal, vice principal, and two others for the death of Whitney on March 31, 2023.
However, when the case was called on Thursday, the third prosecution witness, a Deputy Director with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in Lagos State when he was cross-examined by the third defendant’s counsel, Mr Olukayode Enitan (SAN), told the court that sports facilities in the state are owned by the state government.
Yakubu was asked if it was part of the work of the Sports Commission to establish and make sure that there is a proper medical facility to treat emergencies and he said “no.”
Earlier in the cross-examination, he was asked to read Official Gazette of Lagos State No 9 volume 50 which was admitted as an exhibit. He said the commission was created by the law of Lagos State, adding that law No. 4 states the function of the commission, that it shall be established and maintain clean fields and premises for holding sports competitions, marches, etc. In which the district has a socio-worker service in charge.
He said, “District six covers: Oshodi, Ikeja, Opebi Allen, Agege, Isolo, Abule Egba, and to the bandry of Ogun State. I don’t know all the social workers in District Six.”
He also told the court that he does not know if it is normal for people to pay for usage of sports facilities, but admitted knowing Agege Stadium as part of recreational centers in the state.
He was therefore asked to read the Order Four of the Executive Order, 2016 which he admitted that it applies to Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Sport and not every other officer in Lagos State’s public sector.
Yakubu had in his testimony told the court that he had held an official meeting in 2023 with the staff of Chrisland School, and added that there were minutes and video recordings of what happened in that meeting.
“I don’t have the minutes of the meeting because I am not the admin secretary,” he informed the court.
After listening to his evidence, with the agreement of counsel to all parties, Justice Ogala adjourned proceeding to April 18, 2024, for continuation of trial.
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