Lagos State Coroner Inquest court has concluded that the tragic death of 12-year-old Dowen College student Sylvester Junior was a consequence of negligence on the part of his parents and doctor.
After careful deliberation and consideration of the facts presented before him, Coroner Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri reached the conclusion that Sylvester Junior died due to inadequate treatment of his liver condition, which had caused it to become enlarged.
Sylvester Junior passed away on November 30, 2021, in circumstances that initially led many to believe that he was a victim of bullying and poisoning at school.
It was stated that Oromoni was assaulted by five fellow students at Dowen College: Favour Benjamin, 16, Edward Begue, 16, Ansel Temile, 14, Kenneth Inyang, and Micheal Kashamu, the son of late Nigerian politician Senator Buruji Kashamu.
However, the Lagos State Government absolved five Dowen College students and five staff members of any guilt in connection with Sylvester Oromoni’s death. Despite the earlier allegations and widespread speculation about their involvement, the government’s official investigation determined that there was insufficient evidence linking them to the boy’s passing, effectively exonerating them of the charges.
“Based on the foregoing it is clear that the deceased health deteriorated in (parents) PW 3’s care,” Kadiri was quoted.
He continued: “PW 3, did not take proper care of the deceased, PW 3, completely abandoned the deceased for a period of more than 32 hours.
“The deceased’s death was an avoidable one but for the negligence of the parents and PW 3, they didn’t take him to the hospital until the day he died on November 30, 2021.
“The deceased went through an avoidable and excruciating pain and made to suffer needlessly,” Kadiri said.