My Son Traumatised, Can’t Testify, Says Dowen Student’s Father

Samuel Inyang, the father of one of the students allegedly involved in the death of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni (Junior), a pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, on Monday, told a coroner that his son could not testify before the inquest because he was suffering from paroxysm.

The news of Sylvester’s death went viral following a social media post by his cousin, Perry Oromoni, who alleged that some senior pupils of the college beat him up in his hostel because he refused to join a cult.

But the school denied the claim, stating that the boy complained of leg pain following an injury he sustained while playing football.

A coroner inquest was set up to look into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Inyang, while being cross-examined by the Lagos State counsel, A. A. George, told the inquest that since his son returned from the police station where he gave his statement, he had been traumatised.

The trader further told the coroner that he was not requested to write any statement at the police station, adding that he was satisfied with a report of the Director of Public Prosecutions which exonerated his son.

Inyang, who had said in his statement on oath that his son had been shaking after giving his statement at the police station, said he had no medical report to back his statement up.

When he was asked how he came about the claim, Inyang said, “When I discussed it with my lawyer, then we came about it.

“I agree that there is no reason for my son not to appear before this inquest.”

Earlier in the proceedings, the coroner had asked the counsel for the student, Olumide Akinnimi, the relevance of the witness’ testimony to the court and why the student was not present to give his testimony.

Akinnimi said the father wanted to testify because his son was still experiencing trauma, adding that the boy had not been able to sleep.

The Coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, insisted that the father’s evidence was not relevant to the inquest and he could not speak to the facts and circumstances of the death.

Magistrate Kadiri subsequently adjourned further hearing till March 14, 2022.