15th January, 2024
By Ngozi Njoku
Lagos Coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri has said findings from the inquest of Master Sylvester Oromoni Jnr., a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, will be made known on or before April 12.
The Coroner gave the assurance on Monday during the adoption of final written addresses by parties in the case.
Kadiri said that findings from the inquest, which began on Nov. 30, 2021, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, would be made public.
Counsel in the suit adopted their final written addresses at the proceedings.
Chief Femi Falana (SAN) represented the Oromoni Family while Mr Anthony Kpokpo represented Dowen College.
On October 9, 2023, the mother of the deceased, Mrs Rosemary Oromoni, testified as the last witness before the coroner.
She said that the late student had no health challenge before the complaints he made a few days to his death.
According to the witness, she could not take the late student to the hospital on the day he arrived home from school with complaints, a few days before his death.
Kadiri then commiserated with the witness and her family on the death of the student and admitted the statement she made at a police station in evidence.
The coroner directed counsel in the inquest to file their final written addresses within two weeks.
Kadiri adjourned the case until Nov. 20, 2023, for adoption of the final written addresses.
The adoption was further adjourned until Jan. 15.
Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. reportedly died on Nov. 30, 2021, at a private hospital in Warri, Delta, after alleged health complications at Dowen College, Lagos.
After his death, the Lagos State Government shut the school and set up a coroner’s inquest to unravel the circumstances of his death.
The inquest began in January 2022
The Oromoni Family alleges that the student died from injuries he suffered as a result of bullying by five senior students of the college.
The family also claims that he was not treated by the school in a hospital.
However, Dowen College claims that the JS2 student was not bullied or injured by any student but was injured during a football match with fellow students.
(NAN)