Dowen College principal weeps questioned about death of Oromoni Jnr

The Principal of Dowen College Lekki, Lagos, Mrs Adebisi Layiwola, on Tuesday broke down and wept, before an Ikeja Corona’s Court while recounting how she learnt about the death of 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.

Mrs Layiwola’s outpouring of emotion moved the Coroner, Mr Mikhail Kadiri, to stand down proceedings for 10 minutes, to enable the principal pull herself together.

Layiwola said that she got the news of the student’s death while in the process of investigating an allegation that the deceased was bullied by some senior students.

“When the uncle of the deceased came to the school, we were still in the process of the investigation.

“He received a call from the sister of the deceased in my presence, that the deceased’s case had taken a bad turn.

“It was not long, he received another call that the boy had passed on,” she said.

It was at this point that the principal broke down in tears and the coroner ordered a 10-minute break.

READ: Oromoni: Police shocked by court’s decision to release Dowen College staff, students

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Layiwola, who has been the principal of Dowen College for four years, told the court during cross-examination by counsel to the Oromoni family, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), that there was no cult in the school.

“On the cult allegation, there is no cult in the school.

“In October, I was informed that the deceased was told to describe the nudity of his sister by some students.

“We called the students who were involved but we did not really talk to them about being in a cult. We spoke to them on the issue of bullying.

“On the issue of private part description, we set up a panel to investigate and make a recommendation.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the boy in question was given an internal suspension, internal work for two weeks.

“He was made to apologise to the sister and the deceased. He also went for counselling,” she said.

Falana asked if the witness asked the students whether they gave the deceased a substance to drink.

She said: “I did not ask them.”

“Would you be surprised that a black substance was found in the deceased body?” Falana asked.

READ: Sylvester Oromoni: Lagos exonerates suspects, says student died of lungs, kidneys infection

The witness responded: “I would not be surprised because I am not a pathologist.”

Falana further enquired if the witness was aware that some parents had withdrawn their children from the school because of bullying allegations.

“No. I cannot remember,” she said.

Falana also asked Layiwola if she was aware that a parent came to Maroko Police Station to complain that her son was bullied.

Responding, she said: “Yes, it is true. The boy has been withdrawn after Sylvester’s case, and the boy that bullied him was expelled after the death of the deceased.”

The witness also testified that she did not see the deceased until Nov. 23, 2021, adding that the condition of his health necessitated his admission at the school’s sick bay, with medical personnel treating him.

“The medical doctor told me the deceased had pain in the hip. I was not in school on Nov. 21 and 22, 2021. As a principal, I work with different competent people.

“I did not see the deceased on those two days because I was not given a report on him immediately and his case was not critical,” she said.

Following Layiwola’s evidence, counsel to Dowen College, Mr Anthony Kpokpo, informed the court that the principal was the last witness from the school. The coroner adjourned proceedings until March 7 for continuation of hearing.