The Lagos State government, yesterday, ordered a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death of a 12-year-old Chrisland School student, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, who died on February 9, 2023.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) gave the directive in a statement, that a thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
He said: “A coroner’s inquest has immediately been requested , in line with section 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of death.”
By Section 14(1)(d) of the Coroners’ System Law of the State: “A report of death shall be made to any of the agencies or to the office of the Coroner and be subject to post-mortem examination where there is reasonable cause to believe that the cause of death was: violent, unnatural or suspicious.”
Section 15(1) and (9) further enjoins the Coroner to hold an inquest whenever he or she is informed that the death of the deceased person was in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation or believes an inquest is desirable following the report of a reportable death.
The commissioner noted that: “The findings of this investigation will be made public in due course and appropriate sanctions meted out to anyone found culpable.”
Earlier, the state had ordered the temporary closure of the school located at Opebi-Ikeja.
The State’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, in a statement, said the closure was ordered pending the outcome of a full investigation into the unfortunate incident.
According to her, “on behalf of the state’s Ministry of Education, we commiserate with Mr. and Mrs. Adeyemi, parents of Whitney, over the death of their daughter.
“We also note the impact of this unfortunate event on family, friends and acquaintances of Whitney and call for calm as we assure that no effort will be spared in investigating the incident. We pray for the repose of her soul.”
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