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The Lagos Commissioner of Police, AIG Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu has urged family, friends, and other aggrieved members of the public to seek redress in court in the case involving the late Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni. This is because unlawful acts aimed at disrupting peace and order in Lagos state will no longer be tolerated forthwith. The CP made this assertion at the press conference covered by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP held at the force headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.
He added that the second autopsy conducted on the 12-year old reported that there was no evidence of blunt force or chemical intoxication, NAOSNP gathered.
Sharing the autopsy report, AIG Odumosu said: ‘For purpose of clarification, it is pertinent to convey to members of the public in simple terms, the commentary/submission of Dr. SS Soyemi, the consultant pathologist who led a team of pathologists to carry out the autopsy. He declared and I quote: Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a 12-year old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, reportedly died on November 30, 2021 at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State.’
‘It was alleged that the deceased was physically assaulted and poisoned in the school prior to death. The first autopsy was done in Warri on December 2, 2021.’
‘Following an order for a second autopsy, the body of the deceased was brought to Lagos for a second autopsy. Our findings at the second autopsy include marked pallor of organs, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), infections of the liver and kidneys as well as the heart. These infections emanated from the ankle infection described earlier in the report. Microscopic sections also confirmed these findings.
Death was caused by Septicaemia following infections of the lungs and kidneys arising from the ankle wound. No evidence of blunt force trauma in this body. The findings in the oesophagus and stomach are not compatible with chemical intoxication. Death in this case is natural’, AIG Odumosu quoted the autopsy report conducted in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 14th December 2021.
The autopsy carried out by Dr. S.S Soyemi, the Consultant Pathologist and Chief Examiner, Department of Pathology and Forensic Sciences, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos was done in the presence of representatives of all the parties involved in the case. The witnesses are Dr. Uwon Eze, a consultant Pathologist from UCH represented Timile’s family;
Dr. Badmus Kabiru, Consultant Pathologist from LUTH represented Dowen College;
Dr. Nwigwe Chikodili Isabella, Consultant Pathologist from Military Hospital Yaba represented Edward Brown, student of
Dowen College; and Dr. Clement Vhriterhire, Consultant Pathologist who performed the first autopsy represented the family of the deceased. Others are Dr. Musa Stephen Itopa, Consultant Pathologist from UPTH represented Michael Kasamu, student of Dowen College; Dr. F.E. Emiogun, Consultant Pathologist in LASUTH; Dr. O.O. Kila Uvie-Emegbo, Consultant Pathologist in LASUTH;
Dr. O.O. Onayemi, senior Registrar in LASUTH; Dr. M. Salisu, senior Registrar on autopsy posting in LASUTH; Dr. A.C. Chima, Registrar from ABU on autopsy posting in
LASUTH; and Dr. F. Emetomah, Registrar.
The Police was represented by CSP Rasak Oseni, Homicide Section, represented the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command; DSP Olusegun Bamidele, Homicide Section, also represented the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos state Command; and Sgt. Shola Adeniyi, Homicide Section, represented the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command, Trek Africa Newspaper reports.
AIG Hakeem Odumosu continued: ‘The result of the second autopsy carried out in Lagos was released on 21st December, 2021. The result attributed the cause of death to ‘Septicaemia, lobar pneumonia with acute pyelonephritis and pyomyositis of the right ankle’. On 30th December, 2021, the toxicology screening results of the first autopsy carried out in Warri was released.
The result issued and signed by Dr Clement Vhriterhire, same doctor who carried out the initial autopsy attributed cause of death to ‘acute bacteria pneumonia due to severe sepsis’. At the end of diligent investigation carried out so far, there is no evidence to establish a case of torture, bullying and forceful application of poisonous substance against the suspects.’
‘All the suspects denied the allegations of torture, bullying and administering of poisonous substance to the deceased. Allegation that the deceased was being forced to join a cult group was also not established as other students interviewed denied this. Final results of the post mortem and toxicology examination conducted both at Warri and Lagos agreed that the deceased died a natural death.’
On the legal angle, CP Hakeem Odumosu shared: ‘Despite this and following legal procedure, the case file was duplicated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Legal advice, however, indicated that ‘there is no prima facie case of murder, involuntary manslaughter and or malicious administering of poison with intent to harm’ against the students and the House Masters, hence they cannot be prosecuted. Hence they were all released on bail. The final result of the autopsy and DPP advice were officially released by the State government earlier in the week.’
The eight suspects including three House Masters of the College and five students who were said to have been mentioned by the deceased before his death have been released on bail. They were granted bail after the expiration of the 21 days remand order. The students are Ansel Temile ‘m’ aged 14; Michael Kashamu ‘m’ aged 15; Kenneth Inyang ‘m’ aged 15; Favour Benjamin ‘m’ aged 16; and Edward Begue ‘m’ aged 16. The House masters are Valentine Igbokwe ‘m aged 45; Ahmed Bariyu ‘m’ aged 52; and Adesanya Olusegun ‘m aged 42.
Issuing stern orders to anybody who may want to disrupt the peace of the state, CP Hakeem Odumosu said: ‘In spite of the transparent investigation carried out by the police and the non-establishment of prima facie case against the suspects, some members of the Ijaw Youths Council, Lagos led by one Comrade Henry Oyobolo protested in front of Bowen College for over two hours yesterday 6th January, 2022. The protesters including masquerades carried placards and were drumming, thereby causing panic and apprehension. The protesters who conducted themselves in a manner capable of causing breach of peace also caused temporary traffic jam. But for the professional way the police managed the protest, it would have led to violence.’
‘Much as we commiserate with the bereaved family on the death of their lovely and promising child, it is advised that the protesters and other individuals or groups who are still aggrieved should go to law court to seek redress instead of taking the law into their own hands. Thus member of the public who may have any misgivings about the outcome of the police investigation, medical enquiry and legal advice with this case are advised to follow due process in law rather than resorting to self help.’
‘The police will not fold their arms and allow any act or omission that could threaten the peace being enjoyed in the state’, he warned.
