The Lagos State Government has exonerated five Dowen College, Lagos, pupils and staff who were detained in connection with the death of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni.
Following the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecution, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, and the trial magistrate, Magistrate Olatunbosun Adeola, they were all cleared, including the school.
According to the legal counsel, his death was caused by “Septicaemia, Lobar Pneumonia with Acute Pyelonephritis, Pyomyositis of the right ankle, and Acute Bacterial Pneumonia due to severe Sepsis.”
They also stated that the toxicology analysis of Sylvester’s post-mortem samples revealed no harmful or dangerous material in his body, contrary to what his family claimed.
According to the DPP’s legal guidance, there is no case of murder, involuntary manslaughter, or intentional administration of poison with the intent to hurt the five pupils, Favour Benjamin, 16, Micheal Kashamu, 15, Edward Begue, 16, Ansel Temile, 14, and Kenneth Inyang (15).
The pupils were also cleared of cult membership charges owing to a lack of information to prove the offense.
“Based on available data in the duplicate case file, the Police investigation did not uncover that any secret society name, tattoo, or emblem of any unlawful society was located in the hands of any of the suspects during the Police investigation.”
To hold differently would be tantamount to sniffing for an offense and engaging in speculative behavior, both of which are illegal under the law. “It is common law that suspicion, no matter how serious, cannot be used as a basis for conviction,” the legal advice stated in part.
The school and its five workers, Celina Uduak, Valentine Igboekweze, Hammed Ayomo Bariyu, Adesanya Olusesan Olusegun, and one Adeyemi, were likewise absolved of all allegations, and all defendants were ordered freed. In the meantime, the school remains closed.
[ads2]
