Those accused of Sylvester Oromoni Jr’s Murder have been exonerated.
By Stan Alieke, Esq.
Recall that we reported that according to autopsy report, it was medically certified that Junior died as a result of chemical intoxication hence corroborating the family’s allegation that their son was poisoned by his colleagues for his refusal to join their gang.
According to the first autopsy which was carried out by a consultant pathologist at the Central Hospital Warri, Clement Vhriterhire, the result revealed that Sylvester died of “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma.”
Subsequently, another autopsy was conducted by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the result revealed that Junior died of Septicaemia, lobar pneumonia with acute pyelonephritis and pyomyositis of the right ankle.”
These autopsy reports have laid to rest the allegation of murder against the accused persons as it has exonerated them from the crime. The implication of the autopsy reports is that Junior wasn’t poisoned or beaten to death as alleged by the family and friends and even if he was beaten or poisoned by his colleagues, his death can not be linked to the above accusation.
In the Nigeria criminal justice system, for the offense of murder to be successfully established against the accused, the prosecution must satisfy these three conditions; first establish that there is death ie, the victim died, secondly the victim died from the actions and inactions of the accused ie, the acts of the accused must be directly linked to be the cause or causative effect of the death of the victim and finally the victim must have the intention or knowledge that his actions or inactions will cause the death or grievous body harm to the victim or that the death or grievous body harm will be the forseable effect of the accused actions.
The prosecution was unable to establish that second condition which is linking the accused to the death of Junior, hence the reason the accused was exonerated and which brings the murder case of Junior to a close and the accused exonerated for not been guilty of the death of the young lad.
This is definitely not how we want this case to turn out, we all want justice for the boy and his family compensated and the accused persons (the alleged bullies) to face the brash and harsh side of the law but “lex lex” (the law is the law) and we can’t say or do otherwise rather than obey it.
Moreover, when we talk about justice it should be known that justice is three sided; justice for the aggrieved, justice for the society ie the government and also justice for the accused or the alleged offender. The accused or alleged offender though accused to have committed a crime still deserve justice and fair hearing so that they won’t be a wrongful conviction or an innocent man getting punished. As the saying goes, that the law would rather let ten guilty men go scot free than to convict one innocent man.
We will keep our ears to the ground to see what else will come of this case and we will always keep updating you and educating you on its legal implications and what the law says in that regard as your lawyer.
Stan Alieke, Esq.
Lead Counsel,
Stanley Alieke & Co.
****************************************************************************************
This free legal awareness project of Sabi Law Foundation is funded by the law firm of Bezaleel Chambers International (www.BezaleelChambers.com)
You can support this project and other law awareness programs by donating to Sabi Law Foundation via this link; https://dashboard.flutterwave.com/donate/k0gqpg9rnccq or https://sabilaw.org/donate/
DISCLAIMER:
This publication is not a piece of legal advice. The opinion expressed in this publication is that of the author(s) and not necessarily the opinion of Sabi Law Foundation, its staff and partners.
FREE PUBLICATION (Get Published):
You too can publish your law articles for free on our website (www.LearnNigerianLaws.com) and enjoy increased visibility and readership on all our social media handles. No fess, no charges, no conditions and no submission guidelines are required. Just send your article and picture to our email (lawarticles@learnnigerianlaws.com). We want your voice to be heard, as we all increase legal awareness, together! It pays to Sabi Law (understand law)! #SabiLaw
TRAINING & LECTURES
Book us to speak/train you or your group on rights and laws. Reach us via sponsorship@learnnigerianlaws.com or our hotline!
KEEP IN TOUCH:
Get updates on all the free legal awareness projects of Sabi Law Foundation (#SabiLaw) and its partners, via:
Facebook Page: @LearnNigerianLaws
Instagram: @LearnNigerianLaws
Twitter: @LearnNigeriaLaw
YouTube: Learn Nigerian Laws
WhatsApp Groups via: (https://chat.whatsapp.com/DJZ30OYwP23IVM8HjS4pJs),
WhatsApp Chat via: (+234 903 913 1200)
Telegram Group: (https://t.me/LearnNigerianLaws),
Facebook group: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/129824937650907/?ref=share)
or visit our project Website: (www.LearnNigerianLaws.com)
ABOUT US & OUR PARTNERS:
This publication is the initiative of the Sabi Law (www.SabiLaw.org) {A Free Law Awareness Program of Sabi Law Foundation, supported by the law firm of Bezaleel Chambers International (www.BezaleelChambers.com)} Sabi Law Foundation is a Not-For-Profit and Non-Governmental Legal Awareness Organization based in Nigeria. It is the first of its kind and has been promoting free legal awareness since 2010.
DONATION & SPONSORSHIP:
As a registered not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation, Sabi Law Foundation relies on donations and sponsorships to promote free legal awareness across Nigeria and the world. With a vast followership across the globe, your donation will assist us increasing legal awareness, improving access to justice, and reducing common legal disputes in Nigeria. Make your donations to us via :https://dashboard.flutterwave.com/donate/k0gqpg9rnccq or contact us for sponsorship and partnership, via: sponsorship@learnnigerianlaws.com, sabilaw.ng@gmail.com or +234 903 913 1200.
***********************************************************************************
One Response
I believe most criminal cases are either won or lost at investigation stage. A very good case can be lost because of poor investigation or even foul play.
The fact that the first autopsy carried out by the consultant pathologist at the Central Hospital Warri, Clement Vhriterhire defers from the one from LASUTH ought to be investigated. Nothing is impossible!