Sylvester Oromoni: Time to unleash the deities, by Innocent Raphael
Lord! Sometimes, I sit and wonder why Africa, particularly Nigeria, has so many unresolved murder and crime cases.
In 2005, I watched a Nollywood movie about a young man who was beaten to death by a village clique jealous of his progress. His family, knowing he hadn’t died naturally, buried him with a machete and enlisted the help of a native priest to seek justice. The priest performed incantations, and the spirit of the young man avenged his death.
This was when Nollywood reflected the cultural values of Africa and Nigeria, not the superficial, repetitive stories we now see. Iconic movies like Living in Bondage, Karishika, Rattlesnake, Igodo, Domitilla, Blood Sisters, Osuofia in London, and A Cry for Help taught moral lessons that remain unforgettable.
I can’t recall the name of the particular film I referenced earlier, but its storyline has stayed with me, especially in light of the tragic case of Sylvester Oromoni.
But this article isn’t about Nigerian movies. Let’s discuss the issue at hand.
Bullying, as I knew it growing up, involved taunts, minor physical scuffles, or mischief like scattering someone’s belongings. These were acts that could often be corrected with discipline. However, when bullying escalates to taking another’s life, it ceases to be bullying—it becomes murder, and justice must be served.
According to a 2023 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, 51.9% of Nigerian adolescent students have encountered some form of bullying. Based on my observation, I’d boldly estimate that over 85% of readers have experienced bullying, while at least 1 in 40 readers were or are bullies. Bullies often lack productive minds and thrive on destruction.
The Sylvester Oromoni case
Sylvester Oromoni Jr., a 12-year-old Dowen College student in Lekki, Lagos, tragically died on November 30, 2021. His family alleged he was severely bullied, beaten by five male students, and forced to ingest a harmful chemical.
The school claimed Sylvester sustained injuries during a football game. However, the boy reportedly recounted his ordeal on his deathbed. In my opinion, such details couldn’t have been fabricated.
Sylvester, described as gentle and timid, was likely too scared to confide in his parents. I believe many readers can relate to the inner turmoil of hiding pain behind a forced smile.
An initial autopsy in January 2022 reported that Sylvester died from “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication.” However, a second autopsy by the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) stated the cause of death was natural.
In April 2024, a coroner inquest concluded that Sylvester died from sepsis caused by infections stemming from an ankle injury, attributing his death to “parental and medical negligence.” The inquest exonerated Dowen College, ruling out bullying or chemical poisoning.
Following this, the five accused students were released from juvenile detention in 2022. Dissatisfied, Sylvester’s family delayed his burial until January 27, 2024, in protest.
In my view, this case reeks of irregularities. Each unresolved case diminishes public trust in the Nigerian judicial system. It’s no wonder people are turning to alternative methods for justice.
Why suggest traditional deities? Because, historically, they have been custodians of justice. Deities like Ogun, Amadioha, Sango, and Aiyelala are known to punish wrongdoers and enforce moral codes.
Some may scoff at the idea, questioning the relevance of deities in “modern” times. Yet, many Nigerians still avoid sharing life plans with extended family or colleagues out of fear of “village people.”
Traditional systems, though often misunderstood or misused, were established to enforce fairness. The corruption and inefficiency of modern systems have only made their necessity more evident.
It is clear that the Oromoni family has endured immense pain. After losing Sylvester, they also lost his mother, Rosemary, in November 2024. Her death, attributed to a blood pressure-related illness, highlights the unrelenting grief from losing a child without justice.
If modern courts fail to deliver, let traditional deities be invited to uncover the truth. Deities don’t operate under human influence, so no institution can shield the guilty.
Deities like the Okija Shrine, Ogun, Amadioha, Sango, and others have been trusted by communities for centuries to resolve disputes and punish wrongdoers. While care must be taken to avoid exploitation by unscrupulous priests, these systems can provide the justice denied by modern courts.
Sylvester’s case is not merely about bullying; it’s about systemic failure. Justice delayed is justice denied!
To whomever it may concern, I say ‘Unleash the deities!’ Let justice prevail.
Innocent writes from Lagos
