The coroner’s inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr stalled on Monday, 31st January 2022 due to the absence of his father and sister who were slated to testify.
According to the family lawyer, Mr Andrew Efole, both parties were absent because the daughter was sick and Oromoni Snr had to attend to her while receiving treatment.
“The girl who ought to testify is sick, the father who ought to be here is attending to the child who is receiving treatment,” he said.
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On the whereabout of the mother of the deceased and why she could not attend to her ailing child to enable Oromoni attend proceedings, Efole said, “The mother is not strong now for the things she is going through.”
Earlier during proceedings, counsel to Dowen College, Mr Anthony Okpoko, expressed dissatisfaction with the interview granted by Oromoni Snr published in the newspapers on the day of proceedings.
Okpoko said the actions of Oromoni Snr was in contravention of an order granted by the Coroner’s Court restraining all parties from making comments to the press.
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The Dowen College counsel, expressing his unhappiness to the inquest, said another relative of the deceased, Perri Oromoni has been tweeting in respect of the matter.
“This is a breach,” Okpoko said.
Responding, the Coroner, Mr Mikhail Kadiri, reiterated the Order, threatening to issue a Summon on the said relative (Perri Oromoni).
“Why has he single-handedly decided to be the Coroner?” Kadiri queried.
Efole, counsel to the Oromoni family, apologised and promised to bring witnesses on the next hearing date.
Reacting, the counsel for the Lagos State government, Mr Akin George, urged the court to apply Section 48(10) of the Coroner System Law.
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Section 48(10) states that, “Any person whose act or conduct contravenes any of the provisions of this law where no penalty is specified, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to (two) two years’ imprisonment.”
The counsel for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Bernard Oniga called for stiff sanctions for erring parties who showed disregard and disrespect to the Coroner Court.
Responding, the Coroner told the Oromoni family’s counsel: “On Friday we made no progress, on Thursday no progress both at your instance.
“I hope this is not a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on this Inquest and to my personality.”
Kadiri adjourned the Inquest to Feb. 1 for continuation of hearing.
