DOWEN: Lagos Women Disagree With Falana On DPP’s Verdict 

Some residents in Lagos State, largely women, have expressed their displeasure on the stance taken by the legal counsel to the Onomoni family, Barr Femi Falana on the verdict of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Earlier on Wednesday, the government, through an advice by the director of public prosecution (DPP), Adetutu Oshinusi, ordered the release of the suspects from police custody, saying there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations of murder against the students and negligence against the staffers and the school itself.

Both the family of the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Sylvester Oromoni Junior, and the renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, have kicked against the absolution of the five students and five staffers of the school of alleged culpability in the death of the deceased by the Lagos State Government.

Mr Falana, who is also the counsel to the deceased’s family, described the government’s verdict as “escapist and hasty,” insisting that the decision cannot put an end to the matter.

Feeling pulse of lagosians regarding the state’s decision on Wednesday, One of the women identified as Mrs. Shola Tolani stated that disagreeing with the state government is synonymous with rubbishing the entire system in the state.

Mrs. Tolani, who sympathized with the Oromoni’s family, stated that she wept profusely having heard of the boy’s incident at the first instance especially for the fact that the boy was a minor.

She explained that the state government swung into action with the initial step of closing down the school and thereafter launched an investigation into the issue in order to ensure that justice is guaranteed.

Mrs. Shola noted that there is no way decision won’t be reached at the end of any investigation and such is not different from what had happened.

“I want to sincerely commiserate with the family of the boy, Sylvester Oromoni. I was taken aback when I discovered that the was a minor. I honestly cried profusely because I am also a mother and no one prays to witness the death of his child while being alive.

“How can someone described the verdict of the state government under the umbrella of DPP as an escapist and hasty. I beg to disagree with this.

“I believe that saying this is synonymous to rubbishing the entire system of the state and making it looks unserious for such a serious issue.

“I recall that when the issue was brought to the fore, the state government shut down the school and immediately launched an investigation into it.

“Of course, decision must be reached after the conclusion of an investigation which is not different from what had been done.” She said.

Another woman, Stephenie Olugbo also said that issuing statements to discredit the verdict of the Directorate is uncalled for.

Olugbo asked what the state government would have gained in covering up such issue as alleged and that they all have children.

She, therefore, stated that all parties should allow the boy to sleep well in the bossom of the lord instead of hitting up the polity again.

A Market woman identified as Iya Tobi said disagreeing with the state government on this issue after the investigation is unnecessary even though she never prayed to lose any of her child untimely.

Having commiserated with the family, Iya Tobi said such should be left in the hands of God who is the supreme being that sees it all.