The family of late Sylvester Oromoni Jr., a Dowen College student who died in 2021, has suffered another tragedy with the passing of his mother, Rosemary Oromoni. Reports indicate that she succumbed to heart failure, a development that has left the family and their supporters in mourning. Rosemary’s death comes seven months after a coroner’s inquest exonerated Dowen College and the accused students of any wrongdoing in Sylvester’s death, a ruling that the family had actively contested.
Sylvester Oromoni Jr.’s death had initially sparked nationwide outrage, with allegations that the 12-year-old was bullied and poisoned by some senior students at Dowen College. The school denied the allegations, attributing his injuries to a football-related accident. The case led to widespread debates about bullying, accountability, and school safety in Nigeria. In January 2022, the coroner concluded that Sylvester’s death was due to sepsis caused by an untreated ankle injury, and not chemical intoxication as alleged by the family.
Rosemary Oromoni had been a vocal advocate for justice for her son, often appearing alongside her husband in public and legal proceedings. The coroner’s ruling, which the family described as incomplete and unsatisfactory, prompted them to vow continued legal action to seek accountability. Rosemary’s death is believed to be linked to the stress and grief she endured since losing her son.
The passing of Rosemary highlights the toll that unresolved cases of injustice and family trauma can take on those involved. Friends and sympathizers have expressed their condolences, lamenting her death as another painful chapter in the Oromoni family’s quest for justice. Her passing has reignited calls for improved school oversight and better mechanisms to address such tragedies.
This development is a stark reminder of the emotional and psychological toll of prolonged legal battles, particularly when the outcomes remain controversial. The Oromoni family now faces the dual burden of mourning their son and grappling with the loss of a beloved wife and mother. Many are urging authorities to revisit the case to bring closure to the family.
