The Lagos State Government declared on Sunday that the Chrisland International School will remain closed as the investigation into the death of a student at the school, Whitney Adeniran, continues.
The student died during the school’s inter-house sports competition at the Agege Stadium in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, according to QUEST TIMES.
The state government was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying that the school’s protracted closure following the death of the 12-year-old student was done in order to further investigate the claims of endangering students and others.
“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 grief,’’ the state Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo, stated.
She added, “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.
“The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital 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.”
Adefisayo stated that in order to ensure compliance with child safety regulations, a delegation from the Office of Education Quality Assurance met with the school’s administration.
“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 said in the statement.
The commissioner added that a government delegation visited the family of the deceased on March 2 to commiserate with them.