A 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr has died from injuries sustained from being bullied in school by other students.
Taiwo Akinlami, social development and public interest lawyer has expressed shock and condemned in strong terms saying the school failed woefully in providing a secured and friendly environment for the children, not only that they also failed in ensuring that they intervened on time when the alleged incident was taking place.
He has called on the Nigerian government to carry out proper investigations to resolve the untimely death of the boy.
Speaking in an interview with Ruth Akinwunmi-king Ebaume, Asaase Radio’s Nigeria correspondent, lawyer Akinlami said the government must take proper care of students in their institutions.
“I have found it very disturbing that schools are not doing anything to ensure they put protective environment for children. When the alleged beating was happening who was in charge of the school? Who was the housemaster? Where were the caregivers? Were those children supposed to be left on their own? and why was nothing done to stop the beating?’’
The school has denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.
The father of Sylvester Oromoni stated during an interview with Arise TV on Sunday (5 December) that the only time the principal of the school called the family was after his son’s death; to question him on why they posted a video of a dying Sylvester online.
According to lawyer Akinlami, there have been other incidents of neglect and bad supervision of school children, adding that a girl died in Abuja, who had a condom in her private part when found; which was proven with autopsy results.
Sylvester is the latest victim of bullying and harrowing assaults by fellow students.
The death of Sylvester has generated public protest, with many Nigerians demanding justice.
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