Oromoni: Kemi Olunloyo Must Prove Allegation Or Face Charges, Falana Writes Police

Lawyers to the family of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old boy alleged to have been tortured to death by his schoolmates at Down College, Lagos, have written to the Lagos State Police command seeking the invitation of controversial blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, over ‘reckless remarks’ she made about the deceased.

The law firm Falana & Falana Chambers, led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, wants Olunloyo to explain how she came about her allegation that Sylvester drank engine oil and agreed to be beaten by fellow students as part of his initiation into a cult.

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Falana accused Olunloyo of attempting to destroy the deceased’s name through her utterances on social media.

“According to a false statement credited to her, Ms Olunloyo claimed that ‘Sylvester Oromoni wanted to join the cult, he agreed to be beaten and drank Engine oil as part of the initiation process.

“Ms Olunloyo recorded her false statement and has been circulating the same on social media in a wicked manner with the sole purpose of diverting attention from the ongoing investigation by the Police,” the letter read.

Calling the allegation a figment of Olunloyo’s imagination, the firm said it has exacerbated the tragedy which the deceased’s family and loved ones are experiencing without any justification.

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“Apart from attempting to destroy the name of Sylvester Oromoni, Ms Olunloyo has exacerbated the tragedy of his parents, family members and friends without any justification whatsoever.

“Even though the reckless statement is a figment of the imagination of Ms Olunloyo, we are of the strong view that she ought to assist the Police in the ongoing investigation into the cause of the death of Sylvester Oromoni,” the letter said.

The firm urged the police to investigate the allegations and charge Olunloyo with false information if they turn out to be false.

“We are therefore compelled to request the Police to investigate the allegation of false information being circulated by Ms Olunloyo on the gruesome circumstances surrounding the death of Sylvester Oromoni.

“If she cannot substantiate her reckless allegation, Ms Olunloyo ought to be charged with false information in the Magistrate Court in Lagos State,” the firm said.

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Oromoni’s death came to light after the deceased’s cousin, @perrisonoromoni on Twitter, alleged that he had died after being “beaten to death at a school that cost over 1 million naira”.

He also posted a video of Sylvester in pain, crying and mentioning the names of some fellow students presumed to be the alleged perpetrators of the torture.

THE WHISTLER reported how the Lagos State Government ordered the indefinite closure of the school following the public outrage which the incident generated.

The family has since demanded a coroner’s inquest into his death, while the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had said that some students have been arrested in connection with Oromoni’s death.

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