From Joseph Obukata, Warri
Mr. Sylvester Oromoni Sr., the father of late Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni Jr., has vehemently rejected the coroner inquiry judgement delivered by Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri on Monday.
Oromoni Sr., who spoke on a national television programme monitored by Daily Sun, criticised the judgment for being biased and one-sided.
He said the magistrate, Mikhail Kadiri, failed to consider his son’s last statements and the crucial testimonies of witnesses called during the findings of the events that led to Oromomi Jr’s death. He alleged that the judgment was influenced by external factors and did not reflect the true facts of the case.
“The judgment was just one-sided. The magistrate was talking about negligence by doctors, whereas all the pathologists confirmed they saw a blackish substance inside the body of my son, which does not form part of his body; this, the judgment did not consider,” Oromoni Sr. stated.
He further criticised the coroner’s judgment, pointing out inconsistencies in the report and alleging that crucial evidence were overlooked.
Oromoni Sr. expressed disappointment in the handling of his son’s case by Dowen College, where Sylvester was a student. He criticised the school for failing to provide adequate care for a child he left under their watch, and for, allegedly, misleading him about the circumstances surrounding his son’s injury.
The coroner inquest, which took place at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, had earlier attributed Sylvester’s death to negligence on the part of his parents and the doctor who treated him. However, Oromoni Sr. disputed the claims, arguing that he was not given the correct information about his son’s condition from the outset.
“We had been given information that he played football, and based on that information, we had to focus on treating his leg. The principal, who is the guardian to my son, should have, at least, been able to guide us on what happened in the school and to call on us as soon as possible.
“According to the school authority, the doctor and nurse in the school massaged the boy severally, and the magistrate did not mention that, but rather blamed the families and the Warri doctors, what kind of judgement is this?” he exclaimed.
He, however, stated that he was awaiting further legal action and would continue to seek justice for his son until it is served.