The coroner’s inquest Into the death of Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni, open before Magistrate Mikail Kadiri sitting in Epe, Lagos State.
Presiding Magistrate Mikail Kadiri, urged Parties in the matter to refrain from making any public comments on the issue.
Counsel to the Oromoni family, Femi Falana(SAN), submitted that the coroner be allowed to take charge of the entire proceedings without any external influence, alleging that the legal advice exonerating some staff and students of Dowen College was leaked to the press.
Falana SAN, who said he would inform the deceased family to cooperate with the coroner’s directive, added that it is only the court that is competent to speak authoritatively on the cause of death.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that the Chief Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the Commissioner of Police were yet to oblige the deceased family with copies of all reports and statements compiled during the police investigation and medical examination on the deceased 12-year old boy.
Counsel representing the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Akingbola George, said the Legal Advice exonerating some Dowen College staff and students from any suspected crimes, was never leaked to the press as alleged by Falana, SAN.
He submitted that the Directorate of Public Prosecution forwarded the legal advice to the Police SCID at Panti and the Court as required, emphasizing that interested party should apply through the appropriate quarters for a copy.
On his part, the Chief Pathologist of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH), Associate Professor Sunday Shoyemi, who is a witness in the case stated that the said autopsy report had been transmitted to the coroner.
The court, thereafter, ordered the Police to make available, copies of statements compiled during its investigation to all parties while interested Counsel should make the necessary applications to get the certified true copies of relevant documents from the court.
The court said it would consider request by the Oromonis for it to inspect the school facilities including the sickbay where the the deceased was allegedly treated in November 2021 before his parents took him away.
Counsel to Dowen college, Anthony Kpokpo, informed the court that the deceased allegedly died In Delta state.
The court adjourned proceedings to January 21, 27 and 28 to enable Falana, SAN, Falana to present his witnesses’ evidence.
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