According to the National Association of Nigerian Students, there are frantic efforts by powerful individuals to ensure the reopening of Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos.
This is regardless of the gravity of the allegation against students and teachers at the school in connection with the death of a 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni.
In the midst of the controversies surrounding the student’s death, NANS National Chairman Sunday Asefon, formed an investigative committee to look into the matter.
At a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, the committee’s chairman, Oladimeji Uthman, said the NANS investigative committee had obtained Oromoni’s autopsy results, which contradicted allegations that he was murdered.
Before his death, he ingested a dangerous substance and was assaulted.
Oromoni’s family blamed his death on a physical assault by bullies who also forced him to drink an unknown substance.
“The autopsy and toxicology report conducted by the Nigeria Police Force revealed that the cause of his death was Septicaemia, Lobar Pneumonia with Acute Pyelonephritis, Pyomyositis of the right ankle, and Acute Bacterial Pneumonia due to severe Sepsis,” Uthman said.
We have contacted a medical expert to clarify how a possible knee injury (as initially claimed by Dowen College management) could lead to the infections mentioned in the autopsy.”
The NANS committee expressed surprise that the Nigeria Police did not mention bullying in its report, emphasizing that “We know Sylvester was bullied, but why are state actors attempting to avoid commenting on it?” We are astounded to learn that Sylvester Oromoni Jnr died as a result of infections.”
The students’ union urged Dowen College and the victim’s family to make his medical records/history public so that it could be determined if he was suffering from any ailments prior to his death.
Meanwhile, NANS has warned the Lagos State Government to keep the college closed, threatening not only to brand the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as an enemy of humanity, but also to mobilise all our armless battalion to the streets of Lagos and march in our thousands to seek adequate justice for slain Sylvester if the school is re-opened anytime soon.”
He stated that the NANS Investigative Committee was monitoring developments and reiterated that it would not tolerate any form of injustice promoted by any institution or individual.
“Nigerian students are seeking answers, and we will not allow injustice to thrive,” he added.
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