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Sylvester Oromoni: Falana Faults Judgment, Says Coroner Ignored Evidence
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the recent ruling by Coroner Inquest sitting in Ogba Magistrate Court examining the death of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Sylvester Junior Oromoni.
Falana said the Coroner disregarded further toxicological examination and withdrew initial recommendations for criminal negligence charges, despite glaring evidence and allegations of bullying within the school, including the discovery of a mysterious substance in Sylvester’s stomach.
Earlier, the Coroner Magistrate, Mikhail Kadiri, said Oromoni died as a result of failed treatment for his enlarged liver due to his parents and doctor’s negligence.
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,” Kadiri said.
Reacting to the judgement in a statement on Monday, Falana said the coroner ignored the evidence of the government pathologist that the “black substance” found in the stomach of the deceased was not subjected to toxicological examination.
“It is curious that the coroner ignored the evidence of the government pathologist that the “black substance” found in the stomach of the deceased was not subjected to toxicological examination. The allegation was that the deceased was forced to drink a poisonous substance.
“The Acting Director of Public Prosecution of Lagos State at the material time had recommended that some staff and students be prosecuted for criminal negligence over the bullying of students in the school. Four days later, the Acting DPP turned around to say that there was no case to answer without any fresh evidence from the police investigators. The coroner ruled that the acting DPP has the power to withdraw her recommendations at any time!
“The doctors who testified stated that the deceased died of sepsis and that the sepsis could have been caused by excessive massaging of the leg of the deceased. The coroner conveniently overlooked the fact that the school doctor and the nurses massaged the leg of the deceased for two days before inviting his parents to take him home.
“In an attempt to exonerate Dowen College, the coroner was silent on the overwhelming evidence of the bullying of the deceased, his sister, and other students by the same set of students. In particular, the coroner discountenanced the evidence of a student who had testified that he saw the deceased beaten up and subjected to torture by a group of senior students.
“In spite of such uncontradicted evidence, the coroner said that the deceased died of natural cause. The coroner claimed that the negligence of the family doctor led to the death of the deceased but failed to refer him to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for appropriate sanctions,” said Falana.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Murtala Garo, has welcomed Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the party.
Garo described the governor’s defection as a positive development for political stability and sustainable growth in the state.
Garo, who is also a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that Yusuf’s decision demonstrated political maturity and foresight at a time when Kano and Nigeria require unity and inclusive governance.
“I formally welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, into the All Progressives Congress. This is a significant and commendable step in our collective quest for political stability, inclusive governance and sustainable development in Kano State,” Garo said.
He praised Yusuf’s leadership, noting that his calm disposition and commitment to public welfare distinguish him as a leader willing to place peace and progress above partisan considerations.
“By this decisive action, His Excellency has shown the ability to rise above partisan divides in the interest of peace, progress and unity,” Garo added.
Garo said the governor’s move also reflected an understanding of the political and economic challenges facing Kano State and the country.
He expressed confidence that Yusuf’s entry into the APC would strengthen the party’s reform agenda and enhance cooperation between the state and federal governments.
He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to work with the governor and other stakeholders to promote good governance, political harmony and policies that benefit the people of Kano.
Otunba Adekunle Ojora, a legendary figure in Nigeria’s corporate world and a prominent Lagos traditional leader, has passed away at the age of 93.
According to an official family statement signed by his daughter, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, he died peacefully at his home in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era, Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance. He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London. Rising to the position of assistant editor, he later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter. He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.
In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962. His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.
Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966. In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.
After leaving WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur. He held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company. In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.
Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.
He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The group led by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has executed a rival leader, Abdu Lankai, in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident was disclosed on Wednesday in a post on X by Bakatsine, a journalist who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Bakatsine disclosed that Abdu Lankai was reportedly captured on Tuesday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders, Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji.
He wrote: “Sources confirm the killing of Abdu Lankai, an armed group leader central to enforcing a local peace arrangement in Jibia LGA, Katsina State.
“He was reportedly captured yesterday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji, and later executed.
“With Lankai gone, can Jibia’s fragile calm hold or does this mark the collapse of the peace deal?”
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