The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has clarified why the state exonerated five pupils and five Dowen College employees who were accused of being involved in the death of a student, Master Sylvester Oromoni.
On Thursday in Lagos, a competent source in the directorate, who requested anonymity, claimed that investigations had found no prima-facie case of murder against the accused.
On social media, he dismissed suspicions of foul play and a cover-up.
Oromoni passed away on November 30, 2021. He was said to have been beaten up by his classmates.
According to the sources, two autopsy were performed on the deceased to determine the reason of his death.
According to the source, the first autopsy was performed by the Oromoni family in Warri, Delta, and the second by the Lagos State Government.
Copies of the two autopsy’ findings were obtained.
They discovered that an infection on Oromoni’s right ankle caused him to develop severe septicemia (sepsis).
Dr. Clement Vhriterhire, a Consultant Pathologist of Central Hospital Warri, conducted the initial autopsy on Dec. 2, 2021, which was seen by three other people: an uncle of the deceased, Chief Opudu Boro, the investigating police officer, and a lawyer.
The autopsy at Warri revealed that the victim had acute bacteria pneumonia, acute pyelonephritis, acute bacterial hepatitis, acute gastritis, and cerebral oedema with elevated intracranial pressure.
The cause of death was determined to be acute bacteria pneumonia caused by severe sepsis.
There was also “no elevation of any known chemicals and substances of abuse in our clime,” according to the toxicological reports.
Dr. S.S. Soyemi, a Consultant Pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, conducted the second autopsy on December 14, 2021, in Lagos, which was seen by 14 persons, including seven pathologists, other doctors, and police officers.
Four pathologists represented Dowen College and three of the accused students among the seven pathologists.
Vhriterhire, the Consultant Pathologist who performed the first autopsy in Warri, Delta, was present as well.
The autopsy in Lagos indicated organ pallor, pneumonia (lung infection), infection of the liver, kidney, and heart.
“These infections emanated from the ankle infection described earlier in the report. Microscopic sections also confirmed these findings.
“Death was from septicemia, following infections of the lungs and kidneys arising from ankle wound.
“No evidence of blunt force trauma in this body. The findings in the oesophagus and stomach are not compatible with chemical intoxication. Death in this case is natural,” the result stated.
The DPP claimed in paragraphs three and four of its Jan. 4 guidance that the late student experienced injuries while playing football with his classmates in school on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, 2021, and was taken to a sickbay by a friend before being released to his home on Nov. 23, 2021.
According to DPP guidance, the late Oromoni was taken to Warri by his father on Nov. 26, 2021, and was being treated at home by a medical practitioner.
In the advise, the DPP further noted that while being treated at home, the deceased revealed the identities of some older college students who reportedly beat him for refusing to join a secret club.
It went on to say that the deceased said he was given an awful substance to drink by the senior students.
According to advise, the deceased was transported to a diagnostic centre in Warri for a scan on Nov. 29, 2021, which found hepatomegaly due to severe viral hepatitis.
His illness deteriorated on Nov. 30, 2021, and he allegedly died while being transported to the hospital, according to the report.
