Board of Dowen College claimed that the only injury obvious to them while Sylvester was in the school was a leg injury.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The board of Dowen College, the school in the eye of the storm for its alleged notoriety in condoning bullying of pupils, has issued a statement on the death of Sylvester Oromoni, the 12-year-old, fatally brutalized by his schoolmates.
The board of Dowen College claimed in a statement that the only injury obvious to them while Sylvester was in the school was a leg injury. “We are distressed that a child sustained a leg injury and passed on a week later,” the statement reads in part.
Although the board of Dowen College did not restate the football story that has been faulted by many as the cause of the fatal injury, the claim however, of a leg injury, appears to be an attempt to lend credence to the rejected claim.
Read Also: Let Sylvester Oromoni not die in vain
TheNiche had reported that x-ray results of Sylvester revealed that he sustained multiple internal injuries, the type not common with a fall during a football match. There were also bruises on his face, in addition to a protruded lips, indicating that he was probably punched on the face.
But the board of Dowen College claimed that when Sylvester Oromoni Snr called on November 29, that his son named five pupils who gave him the fatal beating, the board claimed it was yet to conclude investigation before the issue became a social media trending subject.
Find below the full statement
“Good day everyone.
On behalf of the entire staff of Dowen College Lagos, we the management staff of the school wish to publicly commiserate with the family of our late beloved student, Slyvester Oromoni.
We are all deeply saddened by his passing. He was an energetic, fun loving and promising child and he will be sorely missed. We pray that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear with this irreplaceable loss.
This unprecedented situation we find ourselves calls for restraint and understanding. A family has lost their dear son. The school has lost a precious student.
We are distressed that a child sustained a leg injury and passed on a week later. We are as shocked as the rest of the world to see our lovely boy look so ill and in so much pain from the videos posted.
It is true that though he went home on the 23rd of November, his family did call on the 29th to inform us that he said he was actually bullied by 5 senior students whose names he mentioned.
We confirm that we immediately started internal investigations on the 30th but he passed on that same day. Sadly we had barely made any head way before the social rnedia frenzy commenced. We choose not to be side tracked but remain focused in our task to get to the bottom of the allegations made. We are cooperating with all relevant authorities and all the accused students have presented themselves to the authorities. Justice will be done.
We understand the sentiments of the public but appeal for restraint as many lives including the lives of our students are affected.
All lives matter.
We are a school grounded in faith and discipline. We appreciate all those who have trusted and supported us and pray this trust will be revalidated.
Justice will be done and will be seen to be done.
God bless and keep the Oromoni family. God bless and keep Dowen College Lagos.
Signed: Board and Management Dowen College, Lagos, Nigeria.”