On Wednesday, Blessing Adeniran, the mother of the late student Whitney Adeniran from Chrisland Schools in Opebi, Lagos, testified at the trial of the school and four others for alleged involuntary manslaughter. Led in evidence by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Adewale Martins, and cross-examined by defense counsel including Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN), the bereaved mother provided her account at the Ikeja High Court.
The Lagos State Government had charged Chrisland Schools, its principal, vice-principal, and two others on March 31, 2023, with the killing of the 12-year-old student allegedly electrocuted during the school’s inter-house sports at the Agege Stadium on February 9, 2023.
During cross-examination, Blessing Adeniran mentioned that she did not know the effects of the combination of Nitrazepam and Amitriptyline drugs, which were prescribed for her daughter on January 20, 2023. The drugs were meant to treat panic disorder, severe anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
The mother recalled that the school principal had informed her that her daughter was ill and having difficulty breathing on the same day the drugs were prescribed. However, when she saw her daughter at the hospital later, she seemed fine.
Blessing Adeniran admitted that she did not inquire about the drugs’ effects, stating that she was mourning her daughter at the time. When asked if she was aware that the combination of the drugs administered, especially on a young person, could result in death, she responded, “I do not know.”
The cross-examination will continue on Thursday, January 25.
