A student of Dowen College has told how his schoolmate, Late Sylvester Oromoni, was bullied and tortured by some senior students, a situation believed to have led to the death of the 12-year old.
The revelation comes as the family of Late Senator Buruji Kashamu has been busy defending his son named in the alleged torture story.
The high-brow College had put out a story that Sylvester was injured while playing football, a story the student, who has spoken anonymously, says is a lie, just like the school allegedly lied to them that he was withdrawn from the school even after he had died from complications from injuries from the bullying.
The anonymous student’s story:
“I tried to explain to the principal what happened but they keep shutting us up and saying he was playing football. Even before Sly uncle came to pick him up me and me and my friend told our dorm master Mr Amed what really happened but they didn’t want to listen to us
“I can’t sleep so I decided to speak the truth. Everything Sly said before he died were the truth”.
“Sly was on his bed and we were just talking and playing in our hostel room as usual after we clean. At about evening time the senior boys came in and senior Favor switched of the light they were holding their belt with them.
“They were not 5 but 6 senior boys but I don’t know who exactly was part of the beating but I know senior Edwin was there for sure.
“They beat him up and he fell from his bunk and after they were done they called us back to the room and aslem said the school rules piss him off and if we snitch the way sly did them would do even worse to us. Sly was still on the ground and favor kicked his head again before they left.
“In the morning on Sunday sly was on his bed and he complained that he couldn’t walk so the senior called us to their room and said if we snitch they would know and that if they ask us what is wrong we should say he played football.
“The dorm master knew there was a beating that occurred so I don’t understand why they are lying on the internet that he wasn’t aware.
“Even the following morning sly went to the sick bay and it was obvious he was beaten and because no football can break bones and moreover that week we didn’t have or play football or sport activities.
“I tried to explain to the principal what happened but they keep shutting us up and saying he was playing football even before sly uncle came to pick him up me and me and my friend told our dorm master mr Amed what really happened but they didn’t want to listen to us.
“I can’t sleep so I decided to speak the truth. everything sly said before he died were the truth….
“We didn’t know he was dead till we were sent home and picked by our parents
“They told us he was getting withdrawn from the school
“This is not the first case that has happen in Dowen they always hid and cover it up the junior student are not always protected by the teachers or principal if we report annoymously they would make us suffer for reporting.”
Meanwhile, family of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu says, “Since the news of the unfortunate incident broke, we have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement….
“This is why we did not rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling and negative commentaries that have taken over the social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.
“We feel and can relate to the pains of the Oromoni family and all those genuinely concerned about this unfortunate incident….
“That is why we wish to express our readiness to cooperate with the parents of the deceased, the Police, the Lagos State government and other relevant stakeholders to get to the root of this matter so that the cause of justice will not only be served but manifestly seen to have been served.
“However, it is regrettable that of the five names that were mentioned in relation to the incident, it is only Kashamu’s name that seems to ring a bell. Consequently, the family and its late patriarch (Senator Buruji Kashamu of blessed memory) have been the butt of irresponsible, falsehood-based and unwarranted attacks even when the full details of the incident are not yet known.
“There is no denying the fact that Adewale Michael Kashamu is one of the children of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu. But, no family or parent will send a child to school to be involved in any form of crime or criminality; just like no parent would be happy to be informed that a child he or she sent to school to learn has been molested or killed under any guise.
“That is why we wish to appeal for restraint on all sides. The cyber-bullying of our family will not help in any way to solve the bullying in schools that society through the ages has desired to stop.
“On our part, we have continued to engage our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, and he has continued to maintain his innocence.”
Meanwhile, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Sylvester Oronomi Junior, a student of Dowen College, Lagos.
While sharing in the grief of the family, the Deputy President of the Senate noted that the pain of losing a child will always linger in the mind of every parent.
The Delta Central lawmaker tasked security agencies to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.
He also commended the Lagos State Government for closing the school indefinitely. This, he noted, would allow thorough investigation. He tasked them to leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter.
“Closure of the school will help children who are back home to share their experiences with their parents and guardians. They are in the safety of their homes where they fear no immediate reprisals of the revelations.
“The incident is one too many, as it reminds us of how children in schools are subjected to dehumanising treatments, with some losing their lives in the process.
“My profound condolences to the Oromoni family and it is my prayer that God will give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said