Sylvester Oromoni, the father of late Dowen College student, has explained why he was absent at the last sitting of the coroner’s inquest into the controversial death of his son.
Gatekeepers News reports that 12-year-old Sylvester jnr was allegedly beaten by some senior students who tried to initiate him into a cult group in the school, and he eventually died on November 30, 2021, after efforts to save his life failed.
The deceased father had maintained that his son was beaten and fed a liquid chemical, but Dowen College had dismissed the claim, saying the boy sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.
The case is now before Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, in Epe, Lagos and Oromoni who was supposed to have appeared before the court as a witness last week was absent.
The family lawyer, Olawanle Taiwo of Femi Falana’s Chambers, also requested that the coroner adjourn the hearing indefinitely.
Oromoni explained that he decided not to appear because the other party had failed to file their witness statements on oath.
“We filed our witness statements on oath but the other party has failed to file theirs.
“We don’t want a situation whereby they have access to our own witness statements and we don’t have access to their own. This will not allow us to be prepared,” he said.
Gatekeepers News reports that the matter is expected to come up today (Monday) for further hearing.
