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Oromoni: Autopsy Report Exonerates House Master, Others From Murder …‘Chemical Intoxication’, Cause Of Death -Pathologist
The autopsy report conducted on the corpse of late Sylvester Oromoni, alleged victim of bullying, at the Dowen College, Lagos, is out.
This is as Consultant Pathologist, Clement Vhriterhire, of Central Hospital, Warri, who conducted the autopsy on Sylvester Oromoni, who died on November 30 last year, has established that he died of “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma.”
The report, however, exonerated the school’s house master and other students arrested in connection with the alleged murder.
Consequently, the suspects, who have been in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba, for over three weeks, were released last Thursday, on bail.
It would be recalled that the deceased, who was a Junior Secondary School 2 student of the school and a boarder, was rushed to his parent’s home in Warri, Delta State, two months ago, owing to some injuries he sustained while playing football, according to the school.
But his parents faulted the school’s claim, disclosing rather, that their son revealed that the injuries were inflicted on him by some senior students who wanted to force him to join their cult group.
Late Sylvester, died few days before he would be 12 years old, from internal injuries which included kidney enlargement.
In the course of investigation into the alleged murder, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu, revealed that the autopsy report released did not show that late Sylvester was murdered.
He was, however, quick to add that investigation was still ongoing, part of which was the toxicology test that needed to be conducted on the corpse.
Shedding more light on the investigation, Odumosu, said, “We are not at the peak yet. But we have done our investigation, and have sent the report to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advise on those arrested and DPP has replied.
“We have gone through the medical aspect which is the post mortem.
“Post mortem was carried out in Delta and Lagos states. The first one done in Delta State was only witnessed by parents of the deceased.
“But after I held a meeting with the parties concerned, at the instance and directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and my Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba, the second post mortem was carried out in Lagos.
“The corpse was brought from Delta State to Lagos, where the post mortem was carried out with all the parties involved, that is: parents of the deceased, parents of the students accused, the school authority and government. These were the four parties that witnessed the post mortem. And the result is out.
“The report of the post mortem did not bring out the issue of murder on anybody.
“Besides the result of the autopsy, the court order that we got has elapsed and we have released the house master and others on bail, because there was nothing that indicted them of murder.
“It is only a murder case that is not bailable. All other offences are bailable. They have been in custody for more than twenty days and that is infringing on their fundamental human rights. Since medical and legal reports have not indicted them so far, I think there is need to allow them have their freedom because bail is not the end of the case.
“Another forensic test known as toxicology, will be carried out on the corpse”, Odumosu said.
“By the way, the Toxicology test is to determine the concoction that was allegedly forced into the deceased mouth which peeled his lips”.
The test, according to Odumosu, would be conducted abroad.
He explained that “Toxicology test was being done in Nigeria before, precisely at the Lagos State medical facility in Lagos Island. But after the #EndSARS crisis, it is conducted outside the country.
“Until that one is effectively done, we won’t know the final report. But with the interim report, nothing showed murder”, Odumosu stated.
However, Consultant Pathologist, Clement Vhriterhire, of Central Hospital, Warri, who conducted the autopsy on Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, who died on November 30 last year, has established that he died of “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma.”
This report came just as Oromoni’s family kicked against the decision of the Lagos Police to release the housemaster and other staff of the college.
The 12-year-old boy was alleged to have been attacked for refusing to join a cult group. Oromoni’s father had alleged that his child was beaten and fed a liquid chemical. But Dowen College had dismissed the claim, saying the boy sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered a probe while Dowen College was sealed off. Odumosu, briefing newsmen on Friday, said the schoolhouse masters involved in the case had been released since the court order to remand them had expired.
He also said that the police, which had concluded its investigations, had forwarded its report to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and had received a response.
According to Odumosu, “The corpse was brought from Delta State to Lagos. The post-mortem was carried out in Lagos. The result is out, as of now, it has not brought out the issue of murder on anybody. Toxicology is still to be carried out, which is the final one. The interim one has not. Based on that, the court order we got has elapsed and we have released the housemaster and others on bail as of yesterday because they have not been indicted of murder. It is only murder cases that are not subject to bail. “Since the medical report has not indicted them so far, I think there is a need for them to have their freedom because bail is not the end of the case.
The development comes after the court had granted bail to five students charged with the alleged murder of Oromoni.
A member of the bereaved family, Perry Oromoni, who spoke to newsmen, kicked against the outcome of the police probe, accusing the Lagos Police Command and the state government of hoarding the second autopsy result of the corpse.
He accused the Lagos State Government of deciding to go in favour of Dowen College, Lagos and the alleged murderers involved.
“The Oromoni family has been quiet because we’ve been patiently waiting for the Lagos State Government to conclude their autopsy and also see how swift they are in carrying our justice for Sylvester,” he lamented.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.