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The Homicide Section of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the investigation of the death of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos, Sylvester Oromoni.
This was contained in a statement dated December 4, a day which was supposed to be the 12th birthday of the deceased.
The statement titled ‘Investigation Into The Death Of Sylvester Oromoni Of Dowen College, Lekki, Ongoing’ was signed by the state police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu.
In the statement, the police revealed that the state CID has taken over the case.
The statement partly read, ‘The Command wishes to inform the public that, although no formal report of the incident was made to the police, the Commissioner of Police, upon hearing about it instantly directed the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division under whose jurisdiction the place of incident is to immediately visit the school to carry out initial investigation into the incident.
“This directive has been carried out as investigation into the case has since commenced. However, in view of the seriousness of the case, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has also been directed to take over the investigation of the case immediately.”
Circumstances surrounding Oromoni’s death
Reports had emerged that Oromoni, who died on November 30, 2021, was bullied and beaten by fellow students.
The supposed injuries from the beating led to his death, according to a Twitter user with the handle @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the boy’s cousin.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the school denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.
Contrary to the school’s statement, the victim’s cousin rolled out photos and video evidence, which corroborated the fact that the child was bullied and beaten; an action that led to his death.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has ordered the indefinite closure of the school, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Celebrities and Nigerians on social media has demanded justice for the late Sylvester and has rolled out the hashtag #justiceforsylvester to voice out their agitations.
