The Lagos State Police Command has warned youths against further planned protests at Dowen College in the Lekki area of the state as they insisted that the investigation was transparent.
The caution by the police follows an earlier protest by some people who had occupied the front of the school on Thursday to demonstrate against the planned reopening of the school, saying the school must remain shut until justice is served on the death of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni (Junior), a student of the school who died in controversial circumstances in November 2021.
This was made known on Friday by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, at a press conference while giving an update on the investigation into the cause of the death of the late Sylvester Oromoni. Odumosu said there was no evidence to establish that Oromoni was forced to join a cult or bullied to death, hence the release of the suspects earlier arrested by the police.
What the Lagos State Commissioner of Police is saying
Odumosu said, “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.
“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 Dowen 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 members 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.”
What you should know
Recall that the Lagos State had ordered the indefinite shutdown of Dowen College, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of its student, Sylvester Oromoni, who was reported to have died on December 1, after he was allegedly assaulted by some cult group members.
However, the Lagos state government through the Director of Public Prosecution, cleared the 5 students and 5 officials of Dowen College over the death of Sylvester Oromoni and directed that they should be released if they are still in custody.
Meanwhile, Oromoni’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and the father of the deceased student had noted that the acquittal of the suspects was to pave way for the reopening of the college earlier shut by the state government, whilst insisting on the coroner inquest into the death of the schoolboy.
