Dowen College: ‘We Want All The Culprits Fished Out And Prosecuted’

‘We want all the culprits in the death of the Dowen College pupil, 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni, fished out and prosecuted.

This is the singsong on the lips of over 100, 000 Nigerians who have endorsed two separate petitions seeking justice for Sylvester Oromoni, who was allegedly brutalised and from which he never recovered.

 The first petition, initiated by a family member of the deceased, Timi Oromoni, and titled: ‘Justice For Sylvester Oromoni Jnr’, has attracted over 65,000 signatures as of 1 pm on Sunday, while the second one by The Irede Foundation, with the title: ‘We Want Justice For Sylvester’, has attracted over 50,000 signatures

This is coming amidst order by the Lagos State Government, indefinitely closing the school, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester.

Also, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, weekend, ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to take over the investigation of the case immediately, a report in the Punch indicates. 

The first petition partly reads:  “On Tuesday 30/11/2021, we lost our brother, 12 years old Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. He was taken from us in the most gruesome of manner beaten by  five senior  boys in his hostel in Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos state. The students are from influential families and the school is trying to bury the case.

 “Sign and help us find justice for Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. It’s our fight he could be your son, your brother, your cousin. #justiceforsylvester”

The second petition reads: “We need the police to act immediately and investigate the circumstances and events that led to his death. We’re asking the Lagos Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo and officials of the Lagos State Universal Education Board, and the Federal Ministry of Education to probe allegations of bullying and negligence.

“We’re asking for a thorough and transparent investigation and prosecution of those found to be culpable in this tragic incident.

The report further quotes the President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei–Odumakin as urging the Police to ensure there are no cover-ups in the investigation into the death of the student.

Okei–Odumakin, in a statement titled: ‘Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, on our conscience’, said: “There are so many questions to ask but the question of justice supersedes them all. #Justice for Sylvester Oromoni, Jnr.

“We have once again sent a very dangerous signal to the world. The last time, it was a misplaced school that went up in gas flames.

 “Now, it is the murder of a 12-year old, so easily. What would the law enforcement/judicial process do for closure?

“Are we going to get the names of the secondary school cultists? Probably, the children of eminent people, who are by now running helter-skelter to fiddle with the process to cover up the deeds of their children.

READ ALSO: On The Run- Police Hunt SS3 Student Who Beat Teacher To Death

How do we redefine the school environment such that this crime does not define the school?

“We are so sad and we condole with the family of the Sylvester.

“We insist that the police, the state government and the judicial system must all live up and not present the usual disappointment.”