The Coroner Inquest, convened at the Ogba Magistrate Court to investigate the demise of 12-year-old Dowen College student Sylvester Junior Oromoni, has concluded that his death was a result of parental and medical negligence.
Coroner Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri determined that Oromoni succumbed to his illness due to inadequate treatment for his enlarged liver.
Despite an early diagnosis, the family doctor, Henry Aghogho was found to have neglected the deceased for over 32 hours and delayed conducting an X-ray and scan, which could have revealed the worsening condition.
The Coroner Magistrate, Mikhail Kadiri said;
Based on the foregoing it is clear that the deceased health deteriorated in (doctor) PW 3’s care.
PW 3, did not take proper care of the deceased, PW 3, completely abandoned the deceased for a period of more than 32 hours.
The deceased’s death was an avoidable one but for the negligence of the parents and PW 3, they didn’t take him to the hospital until the day he died on November 30, 2021.
The deceased went through an avoidable and excruciating pain and made to suffer needlessly.
Mikhail Kadiri – Coroner Magistrate
The coroner issued recommendations, urging parents not to underestimate their children’s health and emphasizing the importance of improved coordination between law enforcement and medical professionals in such cases.
Kadiri emphasized that the neglect of both the parents and the doctor responsible for Oromoni’s care contributed significantly to his avoidable suffering and untimely death.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for thorough psychological assessments for the five students suspected of bullying the deceased.
Oromoni had reported being assaulted by five senior students before his death.
His passing on November 30, 2021, was linked to both bullying and an alleged poisonous substance forced upon him at school.
However, the Lagos State Government on January 5, 2022, cleared these students, whose names were Favour Benjamin, 16, Edward Begue (16), Ansel Temile (14) Kenneth Inyang and Micheal Kashamu, 16, son of late Senator, Buruji Kashamu and five school employees of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, of any involvement in his demise.
Story: Christy Dung