Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has asked the police to investigate the claims by social media personality, Kemi Olunloyo, that the late Dowen College schoolboy Sylvester Oromoni Jnr was in the process of joining a cult when he died.
Olunloyo’s story contradicts claims by the Oromonis that Sylvester was bullied by five senior students who wanted him to forcefully join their cult.
She had circulated on social media that it was in course of joining the cult that he was beaten and given engine oil to drink.
Falana’s request was contained in a letter signed by a lawyer in his chambers, Taiwo E. Olawanle, and addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Lagos State Police Command, Panti, Yaba.
The letter requested the police to investigate Olunloyo’s claim with a view to prosecuting her for making false allegations capable of diverting police investigations into the case.
The letter reads in part: “Although students and staff of the College suspected to have played a role in the brutal murder of Sylvester Oromini have made useful statements to the Police, one Ms Kemi Olunloyo has just introduced another twist to the incident.
“According to a false statement credited to her, “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.
“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,”.
(NAN)
