Sylvester Oromoni: Two Suspects At Large, As Dowen College Owner, Says Nothing

By Adesina Soyooye

Two out of the five students of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, suspected to have bullied and tortured 11-year old Sylvester Oromoni to death, are at large. They were not present when the Lagos State Police Command interrogated three of their mates.

Sylvester, who turned 12 years a couple of days after his death, allegedly mentioned the names of the   suspects. They are, according to reports, *Michael Kashamu, a son of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu * Anselem Temile *Favour Benjamin *Edward Brown * Agboro Emmanuel.

The two alleged suspects who are at large, are strongly speculated to have  been spirited out of the country by their families. One of them is alleged to be Master Kashamu.

However Kashamu’s family, in a statement, denied their son, Michael, had a hand in the alleged killing of Sylvester. They said Michael was Sylvester’s school father before he, Michael, was moved to another hostel.

The Lagos State Police Command which arrested three of the alleged suspects on Tuesday, say they are in custody, and confirm that two of them are at large.

Sylvester was, allegedly, attacked by the senior students when he refused to join them in their cult group. After beating him, they, allegedly, forced him to drink a liquid, which contents are unknown, but which his parents say, as shown by the X-ray on him before his death, damaged a couple of his organs. His lips were also blistered and bleeding badly.

However, the school Management, in a statement, signed by the Principal,  Adebisi Laiwola, said Sylvester was injured while playing football with others.

His Death sparked  justified outrage across the country.

In a swift reaction, the Lagos State Government ordered the indefinite closure of the school. The Police followed up by sealing it off.

More than 100,000 Nigerians have signed up asking for #JusticeforSylvester.

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, whose subject Sylvester was, has vowed to see to the end of the tragedy and justice for Sylvester. And so has his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in whose State Sylvester was allegedly killed. Sanwo-Olu’s wife, Dr Joke Sanwo-Olu, described it as sad and outrageous. The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, called for the prosecution of the Principal and Hostel Master.

And, Sylvester’s devastated family has hired Femi Falana, SAN,  to represent it in the case. In a letter to Lagos State Coroner, Falana requested for an inquest into the death of Sylvester. Reports say Falana and the Corono would meet on Wednesday in Epe, Lagos.

Meanwhile, the owner of Dowen College, Lami Phillips, a musician, and daughter of Dr. Olumide Philips, has not said a word since the incident. She is said to be too shocked, according to sources close to the family, to say a word.

In another development, the Parents’ Association of the school has demanded for a change in the Management of the school, the hostel masters and mistresses, and the installation of CCT Cameras. They will hold a candle night vigil in honour of Sylvester on Wednesday,  December 8, 2021.