Michael Adeniran, father of the late Whitney Adeniran who was a student of Chrisland Schools in Lagos, faced cross-examination on Monday before the coroner O.O. Fajana.
Whitney, 12, reportedly slumped and died during the school’s inter-house sports at Agege Stadium on February 9.
Counsel to Chrisland Schools Bolaji Ayorinde asked Mr Adeniran if he was aware that his daughter suffered any form of anxiety and shortness of breath.
Mr Ayorinde asked: “According to the doctor’s report dated Feb. 15, are you aware that the drugs prescribed (Netrazepam 5mg and Amitriptyline 12.5mg) are drugs for anxiety and clinical depression?”
He also asked if the witness was aware of some of the side effects of the drugs, which he listed to include numbness and dizziness, then bluish and blackish lips (from Netrazepam usage).
Ayorinde also asked if the witness did any investigation to ascertain if the stadium was safe to hold inter-house sports.
The witness answered in the negative, adding that he expected the school to have found out whether the stadium was safe.
Adeniran then recounted what happened on January 20 before the death of Whitney.
He said: “On January 20, I was on my way to work when my wife called me and said the school called her and said that my daughter had taken ill and needed medical attention.
“I drove to her school and was asked to wait at the reception. Later, Whitney and some teachers came and they bade her farewell and asked her to take care of herself.
“I took her from there to our family hospital, Inland Hospital. Some drugs were prescribed after seeing the doctor and I went to the pharmacy within the hospital to get the drugs.”
Adeniran told the court that he was not aware of the functions of the drugs prescribed by the doctor because he was not a medical professional.
He further testified that he took Whitney to the hospital as a father’s responsibility to rule out any serious health issue, not because she was seriously ill.
Ayorinde prayed for another date to continue cross-examination but the lawyer of the Adeniran family and also that of the state government objected.
The coroner warned all parties in the suit to refrain from any actions that could prolong the inquest.
She adjourned the matter until Tuesday for further cross-examination of Adeniran.
SOURCE: QED