Nearly three years after, the death of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni, a student at Dowen College in Lagos, Nigeria, remains the subject of intense controversy. The circumstances surrounding his demise raised questions about the safety, negligence and accountability within prestigious private schools.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, the coroner investigating Oromoni’s death, exonerated Dowen College and instead blamed the negligence of the family doctor for the student’s death.
However, frontline legal luminary and rights activist, Femi Falana has faulted the coroner’s position. According to Falana, the case has exposed deep-seated concerns about the treatment of students in Nigeria’s educational institutions.
He said: “The coroner’s ruling has only served to further inflame tensions and erode public trust in the justice system.” In a statement, the legal icon stated: “It is curious that the coroner ignored the evidence of the government pathologist that the ‘black substance’ found in the stomach of the deceased was not subjected to toxicological examination.
“The allegation was that the deceased was forced to drink a poisonous substance.”
Falana further criticized the coroner’s decision, stating that the evidence of bullying, and abuse meted against Oromoni and other students at the school was “overwhelming” but was disregarded in the ruling.
His words: “In an attempt to exonerate Dowen College, the coroner was silent on the overwhelming evidence of the bullying of the deceased, his sister, and other students by the same set of students.”
“In particular, the coroner discountenanced the evidence of a student who had testified that he saw the deceased beaten up and subjected to torture by a group of senior students.”
The coroner’s ruling also highlighted the alleged negligence of the family doctor, Henry Aghogho, who was responsible for Oromoni’s treatment after the initial incident at the school.
“The coroner slammed the family doctor, Henry Aghogho, for not providing the required duty of care for the patient whose home care treatment he said was ‘trivialized’ despite early diagnosis,” the report states.
However, Falana argued that the coroner’s focus on the family doctor’s negligence ignored the broader systemic issues at play.
“The coroner claimed that the negligence of the family doctor led to the death of the deceased but failed to refer him to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for appropriate sanctions,” Falana said.
The coroner’s ruling has also left many unanswered questions, particularly regarding the alleged bullying and the “black substance” found in Oromoni’s stomach.
“The coroner conveniently overlooked the fact that the school doctor and the nurses massaged the leg of the deceased for two days before inviting his parents to take him home.
“The coroner was silent on the overwhelming evidence of the bullying of the deceased, his sister, and other students by the same set of students.”
It will be recalled that the case sparked outrage and renewed calls for comprehensive reforms in the education sector to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
“This ruling is a devastating blow to the quest for justice and accountability,” Falana lamented. “It is clear that the coroner’s investigation was flawed and failed to address the critical issues at the heart of this tragedy.
“The fight for justice is far from over.
“We will continue to advocate for sweeping changes to protect our children and ensure that no family has to endure the pain and anguish that the Oromoni family has experienced.” Falana said.
The late Oromoni Jnr died on November 30, 2021, at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State following health complications that allegedly started at his school, Dowen College, Lagos.