Mother of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr., the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos, Mrs. Rosemary Oromoni, testified at a coroner’s inquest to unravel the circumstances of her son’s death on November 30, 2021.
She stated that her late son had no health challenges before the complaints he made a few days before his death.
During the inquest at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Rosemary became emotional and had to be consoled, causing the Coroner, Mr. Mikhail Kadiri, to pause proceedings twice to allow her to compose herself.
She explained that she couldn’t immediately take her son to the hospital on the day he complained about his health a few days before his death because the hospital was occupied. She eventually took him to the hospital on a Tuesday after waiting from Friday to Monday.
Rosemary also observed changes in her son’s breathing before he passed away.
When asked about a doctor’s report and whether she would be surprised if it stated her son’s bones were in good condition, she replied in the negative.
The family’s lead counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), objected to the defense counsel’s question, stating that Mrs. Oromoni didn’t author or present the report as evidence.
Additionally, she confirmed that she was aware of a video showing a woman supporting her deceased son to walk, but she denied instructing anyone to make the video.
She was unsure who had shot the video and how many were taken at her house on that day.
The counsel for the school inquired about the video, stating that it was made for the school’s purposes.
Kadiri expressed his condolences to the witness and her family regarding her son’s death and admitted the statement she made at the police station as evidence.
The coroner directed all counsel to file their final written addresses within two weeks, and the case was adjourned until November 20 for the adoption of final written addresses.
Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. passed away on November 30, 2021, at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State, following alleged health complications he experienced at Dowen College, Lagos. The Oromoni family alleges that their son died from injuries sustained as a result of bullying by five senior students of the college and that he was not adequately treated by the school.
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