Family doctor reveals how Dowen student, Sylvester Oromoni jnr. died

A medical doctor, Aghogho Henry Owhojede recently told the Lagos Coroner Court how Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos died.

Owhojede gave evidence before the Coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri.

Being cross-examined by Akin George, a Lagos State counsel, the doctor said Sylvester did not receive treatment at any hospital in Warri, Delta State.

Owhojede, who has been the family’s doctor for 15 years, disclosed that he treated the late pupil at home between November 26 and 30, 2021 when he died.

According to him, the deceased was taken to church for prayers at some point.

He noted that on November 30, 2021, his family took him to Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DSUTH), Oghara before his health worsened.

The doctor said not long after arriving the hospital, they informed him that his condition had become critical.

He said: ” So , I told them to bring him to my clinic because it was close to their house.

“He was rushed to the clinic at about 10am. Because of much wailing and sadness, I did not issue a death certificate.”

He revealed that Sylvester was brought in “dead on arrival” around 10.00 am.Earlier, when cross-examined by the counsel Dowen College, Mr Anthony Kpopo, Owhojede recounted events that led to Sylvester’s death.

He said: “As at November 26, 20121, I ran some laboratory test on his blood. I checked his packed-cell volume (PCV). The white blood cell was 6,800. On November 27, I did not check his PCV. I did not do random blood sugar. On November 28, 2021 the deceased felt better, his temperature value was in my clinic note.

“I did not check his sugar level. He is on a febrile touch. His PCV was 34 per cent on November 26 and by the 30th of November his PCV was 31 per cent. On November 26, his white blood cell was 6,500 but it was 17,500, which is called leukocytosis. Which simplify that the immune system is compromised. Leukocytosis is one of the main causes.”

The witness noted that it was wrong to say that the patient’s blood sugar was 107 by November 30, noting that “it crashed to 54″.

Also, when being cross-examined by Mr Godwin Omoaka (SAN), representing one of the students alleged to have tortured the deceased, Aghogho said he visited the deceased several times.

“When he was brought from school, X-ray was done and no evidence of fraction or dislocation of upper or lower limbs. His body was very hot (high temperature). The private ward was not available as at that time. Since there was no fraction or dislocation, I managed him at home on ad hoc basis, and there was a nurse with him.

“As at November 26, the boy had hepatomegaly which is enlarged liver. This is not a desease. This can be caused by hepatisis. There was no evidence of assault on his body.

“But trauma or beaten can cause hepatomegaly. Blunt trauma could be the cause. It is not correct as penetrating injury. There was no injury to cause any enlarged liver,” he said.