The Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that it will sue Chrisland High School, Ikeja, along with some members of staff and a vendor, for “Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts,” following the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran, during a sporting event organised by the school.

Fidel Info reports that In a statement released by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the incident occurred on the 9th of February 2023, during an inter-house sports event at the Agege Sports Stadium.

Whitney Adeniran had reportedly slumped during the event and was immediately rushed to the Agege Central Hospital, where she was confirmed to have been brought in dead by the doctor on duty.

The statement further revealed that the case was referred to the police, who carried out a thorough investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the DPP’s Office on Monday, March 20, 2023, for review of the duplicate case file.

On March 23, 2023, the DPP issued his legal advice and concluded that a prima facie case of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts had been established against the school, some members of staff, and one of the vendors.

The statement noted that they shall be charged with the offences of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts, contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Lagos State Government’s decision to sue Chrisland High School and others for manslaughter and negligence has come as a shock to many, and has raised questions about the safety measures in place during sporting events in schools.

The case highlights the need for schools to prioritize safety measures during events to prevent such unfortunate incidents from happening in the future.

The Lagos State Government’s move to hold those responsible accountable for their actions is a step in the right direction and is a message to other schools to take the safety of their students seriously.

President Muhammad Buhari has assented to the legislation requiring the President-elect and governors-elect to submit the names of individuals nominated as ministries or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly.

Fidel Info reports that In addition, he signed three other legislation, 14 other constitutional amendment bills, and the State Houses of Assembly’s financial and state judiciary autonomy bills.

The Administration claims that this advances Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, in a statement on Friday, made this known.

The highlights of the assented Constitutional Alteration Bills, among others, are ensuring financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; regulating the first session and inauguration of members-elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters.

The statement read, “Others are ensuring that the President and governors submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly; and for related matters; enabling states generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid; and for related matters.”

“Excluding the period of intervening events in the computation of time for determining pre-election matters petitions, etc; regulating the first session and inauguration of members-elect of the national and state assemblies; changing prisons to correctional service and re-designate correctional service in the concurrent list; and moving item “railway” from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.”

The President also assented to three other bills: The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology Act, The Nigerian Institute of International Relations Act, and The Federal Medical Centres (Amendment) Acts.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has asked residents of the state, especially marketers, to collect and spend the old and new naira notes as both are still legal tenders in the country.

Fidel Info reports that According to a Kwara State Government House statement on Tuesday, ”Per the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the latest circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the old naira notes still remain a legal tender in the country. Banks are now officially issuing the old naira notes (including N500, N1000). I, therefore, urge all residents of our state to spend and receive both the old and the new naira notes.” 

“This appeal especially goes to our marketers/traders. Further rejection of the old naira notes is in breach of the Supreme Court judgment. Such rejection is also inflicting economic pains on ourselves. Marketers, and indeed everyone in the state, can and should receive the old and new naira notes since commercial banks are now receiving the two. Citizens are to note that rejection of the legal tender, such as the old naira note, is a serious crime under our law.

“I also implore the banks to kindly extend every support within their powers to our people to ease all their transactions as things return to normal.”