A 12-year-old pupil from Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, who tragically passed away on November 30, 2021, has been laid to rest after a two-year struggle for justice.

Sylvester died under controversial circumstances of being allegedly tortured by some senior students of his college.

The 12-year-old was laid to rest on Saturday at the family’s compound in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta, marking the end of a journey filled with anguish and pursuit for accountability.

“We are not here to weep and mourn over Sylvester but to celebrate a great man, a young man that God almighty loves so much. Sylvester left an indelible mark in the hearts of all men that must be emulated,” remarked Revd Goodluck Bayagbon of the God’s Grace Ministry, Warri, during the burial ceremony.

In a reflective moment, he added, “The most important thing about life is that everyone on earth must strive to make heaven because that is a great achievement for everyone, where there is no pain, sorrow, sadness, calamity, worries. Sylvester should be emulated according to his brief biography read to us all.”

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, honoured Sylvester, stating, “We are here to celebrate a great Nigerian whose life was cut short. His short life was so eventful according to his biography that was just read to us now. The short life of Solomon cannot be compared with that of Methuselah.”

Falana emphasized the need for introspection, urging, “We must try as much as possible to rededicate our lives to God almighty. I must thank the parents of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr for standing and demanding for justice for their son.”

Sylvester’s father had previously expressed determination, stating, “As the father of the deceased, I cannot be tired or discouraged from pursuing justice as I have promised my son to get him justice even if it takes thirty years to achieve it.”