By Ayo Kehinde
The family of late 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, has hired the firm of human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, to prosecute the case against the institution over the unfortunate death of their son.
In the letter dated December 6, 2021 and signed by Taiwo Olawale, the lawyers have written to the office of Lagos State’s chief coroner requesting an inquest into the circumstances leading to the death of his client’s child.
The letter titled “Request for Inquest into the Tragic Death of Sylvester Oromoni killed at Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos,” noted that based on the briefings by the family, the late student died as a result of injuries allegedly inflicted on him by his seniors at the school.”
The letter in part reads
“Given the needless death of Sylvester Oromoni, we are compelled to request you to use your good offices to cause a coroner’s inquest to be conducted into the cause of death of this young and promising boy and make appropriate recommendations pursuant to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007 that states that an inquest shall hold whenever a coroner is informed that the death of a person within his coroner district is as a result of a death in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation.
We hereby request your lordship to conduct an inquest into the circumstance surrounding this tragic death and we are confident that your lordship will accede to our request with utmost urgency.”
Meanwhile, more than 180,000 persons have signed petitions demanding justice after the death of Sylvester Oromoni, whose death from torture in the hands of five accused students of the college because he refused to join a cult group has outraged many in Nigeria. The school in highbrow Lekki, has closed indefinitely on the orders of the state government.
“Preliminary investigation showed there was no fighting, bullying or any form of attack on the boy,” it said.
But the youngster’s father Sylvester Oromoni Seniorn is skeptical, “All I want is justice.”
Another family member – Sylvester’s cousin – has given his version of events. He alleged on Twitter that five boys had accosted Sylvester, locking him in his hostel and giving him a chemical to drink – none of which has yet been corroborated by the police, who say they’re still investigating.
As officers continue their investigation, Sylvester’s father says he wants Dowen College to hand over the students he accuses of assaulting his son. The state government has promised to investigate the matter.
A national students’ body says it is creating its own investigating committee.
Multiple petitions are circulating online, calling on the authorities to prosecute those responsible for Sylvester Oromoni’s death and deliver justice to his family.
#JusticeForSylvester has continued to trend across social media since last week and a WhatsApp group has been created for the same purpose.
