Elder statesmen from the South-South region Ijaw speaking people in Lagos on Wednesday called for speedy court judgement of the case of Sylvester Oromoni who was a student of Dowen College, Lagos .
The 12-year-old pupil died on November 30, 2021. His death has continued to elicit heated controversies.
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His family had alleged that he died from injuries he sustained in an attack by five senior students of Dowen College, for refusing to join a cult.
The family also claimed that the late pupil was forced to drink an obnoxious substance by his attackers.
But the school denied both claims, saying the late student only sustained a leg injury while playing football.
In March, the school principal appeared before an Ikeja Coroner’s Court where he was cross-examined by counsel for the Oromoni family, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).
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Falana had asked if the witness asked the students whether they gave the deceased a substance to drink, as part of the allegations was that Sylvester Oromoni was given a poisonous substance to drink, which eventually led to his death.
However, Mr Regent Youmor, Coordinator and Ex-president, Ijaw Community in Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that the unfortunate incident was more of a moral issue than legal.
Youmor who said that the Ijaw community wants an expedited court judgement for Sylvester Oromoni in order to bury his corpse, said that it was against the culture and traditions of Ijaw people to keep a young man’s corpse without burial for a year.
He said that the right thing to do was to bury the corpse so that the soul could rest peacefully.
He said, “The case is a sensitive case involving a corpse that is yet to be buried.
“We, therefore, appeal that judgement be passed speedily in order for the corpse soul to rest peacefully.
“The Ijaw leaders in Lagos want to see justice done on the case and speedily too because there were spiritual implications for not burying a young child that died mysteriously.
Mr Ebitimi Dio-Posibi, who is among those calling for speedy judgement said angry reactions from various elders and youth organisations trailed the delay by the judiciary in concluding investigation one year after.
Açcording to Dio-Posibi, due to long judicial process, the youth had yet to be buried against Ijaw tradition and culture which was causing the elders great concern.
The immediate past Chairman of Ijaw Youths Council, Lagos chapter, Mr Henry Oyobolo, said that it was almost one year since his death under mysterious circumstances.
Oyobolo said that up till now, the fact finding court which started in Epe since January had yet to conclude its assignment. Adding that this was quite frustrating and the Ijaw people were not happy.
Youmor who said that the Ijaw leaders in Lagos, in unison, plead with the investigative court for quick dispensation of justice as justice delayed was justice denied, prayed for the soul of their departed bright star to rest in peace.