He said Whitney did not die as a result of electrocution as stated in the autopsy report.

Adewale, who said he makes Shawarma, Candy Floss, Popcorn, and Barbecue on request, stated this before Magistrate Olanike Fajana, at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ogba.

The state government had stated that the post-mortem report revealed that Whitney died of Asphyxia and electrocution.

The report dated March 1, 2023, was issued by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The 12-year-old pupil reportedly slumped and died during the school’s inter-house sports at the Agege Stadium, on February 9.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Adewale told the coroner that on the day of the incident, the school management had stopped him from producing Shawarma and Candy Floss under the pool.

The witness, who was cross-examined by the deceased’s family lawyer, Mr Femi Falana SAN, said he was an independent vendor of the Agege Stadium where he registered to be able to conduct his business.

Adewale told Magistrate Fajana that he registered his business in February 2013 and that he was always at the Stadium and when Chrisland School came to inspect the stadium they saw him and liked him.

Adewale explained that in all the events he had sold snacks, he had never experienced electrocution with his machine.

He said he did not see the deceased when she slumped but he saw pupils and teachers surrounding the pupil on the ground.

“When I went to check what was happening, I saw teachers and pupils surrounding her and I asked what happened, they said she slumped,” he explained.

He added, “To the best of my observation, the deceased did not die of electrocution. There was no naked wire, the autopsy was erroneous and from where the deceased was, it was 5cm from where my machine was and it was unplugged.

“I don’t know if the deceased died of electrocution. Other organisations have conducted tests and there was nothing like electrocution”.

The case was further adjourned till May 22, for continuation of hearing.

The Lagos State Government charged Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu  Victoria with involuntary manslaughter and reckless negligent acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Oyindamola Ogala admitted the defendants’ bail after defence counsel moved the motion for bail dated  March 28 and March 29 respectively.

There were no objections from the prosecution, led by the Lagos State Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

Ogala admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each  with two sureties each in like sum

She also admitted the third and the fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge said all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of their financial status and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

“All the sureties must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must submit their international passports with the Chief registrar of the state high court,” Ogala said.

The court, however, ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaken for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail.

The defence counsels were Mrs Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant),  Richard Ahonarougho SAN second defendant), Olukayode Enitan, SAN, ( third defendant),  Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant)  and Mr Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, (fifth defendant) while Mr Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased.

The five defence counsels urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on self-recognisance.

NAN reports that according to the charge information signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr  Babajide Martins, on March 24, the defendants allegedly committed the offence on  February 9, about 1. 00 p.m. in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos.

The prosecution said that the defendants negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety.

The state also submitted that the defendants acted recklessly and negligently that endangered human life.

Onigbanjo, while arraigning the defendants, informed the court that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants.

“We shall be praying for a date to open trial,” he said.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Ogala subsequently adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial.