Sylvester Oromoni's inquest resumes in Lagos

The inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, Lekki in Lagos, resumed on Tuesday at Ikeja Magistrates Court, with groups asking for speedy inquest.

Some of these groups said a speedy inquest is “in the interest of justice”.

Among the groups was Justice for Oromoni, whose coordinator, Regent Youmor, called on the judiciary to ensure that the late student’s case was expeditiously concluded.

He begged that the case should be quickly heard to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

The sitting was held behind closed doors with only a few relatives allowed in.

Oromoni, 12, died on November 30, 2021, allegedly from injuries sustained in an attack.

The Oromoni family is represented on the inquest by Femi Falana (SAN), Bernard Onigah represents the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA.

The accused persons and the Lagos government are equally represented by their lawyers.

Meanwhile, some groups have called for a speedy inquest “in the interest of justice”.

The groups spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos after the sitting.

Among the groups was Justice for Oromoni, whose coordinator, Regent Youmor, called on the judiciary to ensure that the late student’s case was expeditiously concluded.

He begged that the case should be quickly heard to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

Meanwhile, journalists were barred by the coroner, Magistrate Mikail Kadiri, who is sitting at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Ogba.

The registrar of the court, who announced the Magistrate’s order, said that the hearing was mainly for lawyers. He asked journalists and others to leave the court.

It was learnt that some Dowen College school students accused of beating the late Sylvester Oromoni and others who allegedly played football with him as well as some of his roommates had been invited by the coroner to testify.

A representative of the Nigeria Bar Association said, “Journalists will be shut out from covering the inquest this week because minors will be testifying.

“The witnesses are minors and the purpose is to protect the Child Rights Acts”.

The deceased’s father had alleged that his child was beaten by some senior students and forced to drink a liquid that eventually killed him.

But the school denied the claim, alleging instead that he sustained injuries while playing football with his mates.