Widow petitions IG over husband’s death at workplace, accuses Edo DPO of bias

Awidow, Esther Osaghae, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking investigation into the death of her husband, Fidelis Osaghae, in his boss’ office at Auchi, Edo State.

The widow, who alleged a cover up, claimed her husband died under questionable circumstances.

The petition, filed on her behalf by a civil society organisation, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, said that the deceased worked with a man who was into hospitality business in the community.

A copy of the petition was obtained on Monday in Benin City.

The petitioner said her husband had, on July 28, left home at about 1 p.m. for his place of work located opposite Mechanic Site, Angle 90, Auchi in the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The deceased, while at work in the early hours of July 29, and as it’s his usual practice when delayed in returning home, made a video call to his wife at about 1:30 a.m. to let her know he was still at work. The deceased came home at 2:30 a.m. that same day and informed his wife that his boss asked him to bring ‘something’ back to work and ran back to work at about the same 2:30 a.m. with a promise to be back soon. When the widow tried to call the deceased later at about 5 a.m. to ask why he was yet to be back, she was unable to reach him.

“When she, however, reached out to one Tracey, a supervisor at the same facility, she was assured that everything was under control. However, at about 6 a.m., she received a call from the deceased’s boss who told her to come to Favour Hospital, Afasho, with the assurance that everything was alright with her husband.

“Being a nursing mother, she asked her elder sister to go to the hospital to see what the problem was. But on reaching the hospital, her sister met the lifeless body of her sister’s husband in his boss’ car. The hospital rejected Fidelis, saying he was brought in dead. Upon observation, they noticed strange marks and injuries on the deceased’s body, which may have been as a result of torture and pain inflicted on him before he passed on,” the petition stated.

The petitioner alleged that the deceased was in the custody of his boss until his death and that since this incident, the boss had been walking freely.

She alleged that the Divisional Police Officer, Auchi Divisional Headquarters, from whose jurisdiction the incident happened, had not demonstrated any willingness to take necessary action toward addressing the issue.

The petitioner also claimed that since the incident happened on July 29, the police merely invited the parties involved without making any arrest.

She added that the police were quick to jump into conclusion by absolving her husband’s boss of culpability in her husband’s death.

The petitioner said she had lost confidence in the divisional police division in Auchi, hence her petition, calling on the inspector-general of police to take over the investigation.

According to her, she still believes in the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to get justice for her.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo State, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the case, saying it was under investigation.