The Lagos State Police Command on Friday gave strong
warnings to youths, who planned further protests at Dowen College in the Lekki
area of the state.
Some protesters had occupied the front of the school on
Thursday to protest the planned reopening of the school, saying the school must
remain shut until justice is served on the death of 12-year-old Sylvester
Oromoni (Junior), a student of the school who died in controversial circumstances
in November 2021.
The father of the deceased student, Sylvester Oromoni
(senior), had alleged that some senior students of the school beat up his son
in the hostel because he refused to join a cult, adding that the 12-year-old
had died from complications suffered from the alleged bullying.
But speaking on Friday, the Lagos State Commissioner of
Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said there was no evidence to establish that Oromoni
was forced to join a cult or bullied to death, hence the release of the
suspects (students and house matters) earlier arrested by the police.
The CP stated this at a press conference on Friday while
giving an update on the investigation into the cause of the death of the late
student.
Odumosu said, “At the end of diligent investigation carried
out so far, there is no evidence to establish a case of torture, bullying and
forceful application of poisonous substance against the suspects. All the
suspects denied the allegations of torture, bullying and administering of
poisonous substance to the deceased. Allegation that the deceased was being
forced to join a cult group was also not established as other students
interviewed denied this.”
Continuing, the Lagos CP said, “In spite of the transparent
investigation carried out by the police and the non-establishment of prima
facie case against the suspects, some members of the Ijaw Youths Council, Lagos
led by one Comrade Henry Oyobolo protested in front of Dowen College for over
two hours yesterday 6th January, 2022. The protesters including masquerades
carried placards and were drumming, thereby causing panic and apprehension.
“The protesters who conducted themselves in a manner capable
of causing breach of peace also caused temporary traffic jam. But for the
professional way the police managed the protest, it would have led to violence.
“Much as we commiserate with the bereaved family on the
death of their lovely and promising child, it is advised that the protesters
and other individuals or groups who are still aggrieved should go to law court
to seek redress instead of taking the law into their own hands.
“Thus members of the public who may have any misgivings
about the outcome of the police investigation, medical enquiry and legal advice
with this case are advised to follow due process in law rather than resorting
to self-help. The police will not fold their arms and allow any act or omission
that could threaten the peace being enjoyed in the state.”
Meanwhile, the Oromoni’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and the
father of the deceased student had noted that the acquittal of the suspects was
to pave way for the reopening of the college earlier shut by the state
government, whilst insisting on the coroner inquest into the death of the
schoolboy.
The coroner’s inquest
into the death of Sylvester would commence on January 15, 2022.
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