Coroner’s inquest into Oromoni’s death to begin Jan 15

The coroner’s inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni, the late student of Dowen College in Lagos, will begin on January 15.

The 12-year-old student of the Lekki-based school died last November after he was allegedly attacked by five of his colleagues for refusing to join a cult group.

Oromoni’s father had claimed his child was beaten and fed a liquid chemical that eventually led to his death.

Dowen College, however, dismissed the claim, alleging that the boy sustained injuries while playing football with colleagues.

In a letter dated January 4, and to Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to the family of the deceased student, Mojisola Dada, the chief coroner of Lagos, said the inquest will be held at the magistrate court located at Epe district. 

In the letter by Mikail Kadiri, coroner of Epe district, Falana was asked to forward a list of suspects and witnesses to be summoned to court for the judicial inquiry.

“I have the directive of the chief coroner of Lagos State, honourable justice M. A. Dada to remind you that the inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni will commence on Saturday, 15th January, 2022 at Magistrate Court No. 4, Epe district, combined high court and magistrate court of Lagos State, Epe at 9:00am prompt; the hearing shall be in open court,” the letter read.

“You are further reminded to file and serve depositions of all witnesses you intend to call at the inquest and forward a list of persons whom, in your opinion, needs to be summoned by the court. 

“The depositions may be filed at any of the Magisterial Districts in Lagos State and served electronically on all parties concerned. Please find attached the name, firm/representation and phone numbers of parties that attended the preliminary meeting held on the 16th December, 2021. Thank you.”

Two autopsies were conducted on the deceased, one by the Delta police and the second by the force’s Lagos command.

The first autopsy earlier released to the public had revealed that the deceased died of “chemical intoxication”.

After a police probe, Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos police commissioner, said findings had been forwarded to the state’s department of public prosecution (DPP).

In the DPP’s advice released on Wednesday, it was stated that the police investigation and the two autopsies conducted on the body of the deceased student failed to establish a prima facie case against the suspects.

A Lagos magistrate court had also granted bail to the five students charged with the alleged murder of Oromoni.

The police also released a housemaster and other staff of the school, saying the court order to detain them had elapsed.