Dowen College Insists Sylvester Oromoni Sustained One Leg Injury

By Edna Wande Last updated Dec 9, 2021

Management of Dowen College in Lagos state has maintained its initial stance that Sylvester Oromoni Jnr only sustained leg injury in school.

Sylvester died recently after he was allegedly attacked by “some senior colleagues” for refusing to join a cult group.

The student’s father had earlier said that his child was severely beaten and fed with an harmful chemical substance.

The death of the 12-year-old student sparked outrage as Nigerians on social media called out the school.

However, the school dismissed the claim, alleging that he only sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.

Insisting on its previous statement, Dowen College Wednesday school said it is “distressed” that Sylvester passed away a week after he sustained leg injury.

It also said it was shocked to see the late student looking very sick in some of the videos that were circulated online.

The statement reads;

We are distressed that a child sustained a leg injury and passed on a week later. We are as shocked as the rest of the world to see our lovely boy look so ill and in so much pain from the videos posted.

It is true that though he went home on the 23rd of November, his family did call on the 29th to inform us that he said he was actually bullied by 5 senior students whose names he mentioned.

We confirm that we immediately started internal investigations on the 30th but he passed on that same day. Sadly we had barely made any head way before the social media frenzy commenced.

The school said it would leave no stone unturned to unearth what led to Sylvester’s death, adding that justice would be done in the case.

It stressed;

We choose not to be side tracked but remain focused in our task to get to the bottom of the allegations made. We are cooperating with all relevant authorities and all the accused students have presented themselves to the authorities. “Justice will be done”, This reassurance was given at a press conference held in Lagos as part of the one day of mourning, the school reassures the family and public of justice.

We understand the sentiments of the public but appeal for restraint as many lives including the lives of our students are affected. All lives matter. We are a school grounded in faith and discipline. We appreciate all those who have trusted and supported us and pray this trust will be revalidated. Justice will be done and will be seen to be done.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command has said five students of Dowen College, as well as three housemasters of the school, are now in their custody over alleged involvement in the death of Sylvester.