Category: Law and Crime

  • Hotel Murder in Delta: How lodger was killed in Owheologbo hotel

    Hotel Murder in Delta: How lodger was killed in Owheologbo hotel

    The shocking details of how Mr. Sunday Ogofotha, a guest at Century Home Hotel, Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, was murdered while attending a funeral have begun to unfold.

    The Delta State Police Command paraded four suspects in connection with the gruesome crime at the Police Headquarters, revealing a chilling conspiracy.

    According to the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the late Ogofotha had contacted his wife before his death, informing her that he had checked into the hotel.

    “When the wife later tried to reach him and couldn’t, she became worried and contacted his relatives. When they inquired about his whereabouts, the hotel manager initially denied knowledge of his stay. However, after his arrest, he confessed that two suspects had offered him ₦5 million to gain access to the victim,” Edafe explained.

    The hotel manager, Godwin Ogheneochuko Iboyirode, admitted to knowing the suspects and narrated his role in the crime.

    “On Friday, March 21, 2025, two young men came to the hotel and told me they wanted to meet the guest (Ogofotha) because they needed to collect something from him. They promised to give me ₦5 million if they succeeded.”

    “The victim checked in around 10 p.m. and was sitting outside when the boys approached me. After some time, I went to check on him and found that his room had been locked with a padlock from the outside. Clement (one of the suspects) had already exited through the back door.”

    “By evening, I started perceiving a foul odor from the locked room. I became afraid and didn’t inform my boss. Instead, I fled and spent the night at a woman’s house. The next morning, when I returned to check on the situation, vigilantes and community youths attacked me.”

    “My uncle, who owns the hotel, was the one who reported the incident to the vigilantes. I later heard that the hotel was set ablaze.”

    The manager admitted to having previous dealings with the suspects.

    “I first met these boys in December 2024, when they brought a girl to the hotel. Since that time, I never saw the girl again. They gave me ₦300,000 then.”

    Regarding a missing POS operator and a POS machine found in the hotel, the manager said: “Johnson (one of the suspects) handed over the POS machine to me. I don’t know if he owned it or if it belonged to the missing girl.”

    He also confirmed that the suspects had killed the missing girl.

    SP Edafe stated that the hotel manager and two other suspects had been arrested and that the police were still investigating.

    “They have not given us the full details, but we know that the manager and these two boys were directly involved in the victim’s death. They stabbed him multiple times until he died. Fortunately, he had earlier informed his wife of his location, which helped in tracing the crime.”

    Edafe urged the public always to inform their loved ones of their whereabouts for safety reasons.

    Hotel Set Ablaze by Angry Youths

    Meanwhile, reports indicate that irate youths, dissatisfied with the police report exonerating the hotel owner, Chief Joshua Oghoole, mobilized and set the hotel on fire.

    Following the incident, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Elder Godwin Ogorugba, led officials to seal off the hotel.

    Police sources confirm that investigations are ongoing, both into the series of killings at the hotel and the arsonists who burnt it down.

  • Police uncover body of site engineer killed, buried by his employees

    Police uncover body of site engineer killed, buried by his employees

    The Delta State Police Command has uncovered the body of a site engineer, Chigozie Udalor, who was allegedly killed and buried in a shallow grave by his employees.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, made this known in a statement on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

    Udalor, who was overseeing his cousin’s construction project, had hired four young men from Benue State to work at the site, but on December 10, 2024, the workers reportedly conspired, attacked him with a hammer and struck his head.

    In a desperate attempt to cover up their crime, the suspect buried his body in a shallow grave at the construction site.

    The statement read, “A sad story of a 38-year-old man who was employed by his cousin as a site engineer. The site engineer, Chigozie Udalor, employed four boys, all from Benue State.

    “On December 10 2024, they conspired and murdered him at the site using a hammer to hit his head and buried him in a shallow grave there at the site. Man’s inhumanity to man.

    “His body was exhumed yesterday April 2 2025 after arresting two of the suspects.”

  • Police uncover Yahoo school in Lagos

    Police uncover Yahoo school in Lagos

    LAGOS—The Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it has uncovered a building in the Iju area of Lagos State used for internet fraud training

    Popularly called “Yahoo School,” the command said four Yahoo experts, among them two siblings, who had been running the school, were arrested alongside six trainees, who were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud during the operation.

    Identities of the main suspects were given as Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26 and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25, while the six trainees’ are Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12 and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.

    The underage trainee, Ugochukwu, according to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hudenyin, had healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect, to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts.

    Preliminary investigations, according to him, revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State and engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes.

    He said the proceeds from their fraudulent activities were confiscated by the principal suspects.
    Hudenyin said: “All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba for further discreet investigation and prosecution.

    “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors, who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal and illegal activities took place.

    “The owner of the facility is hereby warned in his own interest to turn himself in immediately at the SCID Panti from wherever he is hiding. The Lagos State Police Command will ensure that all suspects are charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.”

  • South African court acquits Nigerian pastor of rape after 8 years in jail

    South African court acquits Nigerian pastor of rape after 8 years in jail

    A High Court in the Eastern Cape division of South Africa has acquitted Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist, accused of raping young women in his church.

    Omotoso and his two co-defendants were arraigned on a 32-count charge bordering on rape and human trafficking

    News24 reported that Omotoso would be deported to Nigeria immediately after the judgment.
    The co-defendants are Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho.

    Several young women had accused the pastor of luring them into his home in Umhlanga, a town in South Africa, where he allegedly molested them.

    In April 2017, the Nigerian pastor was arrested shortly after he landed at an airport in South Africa.
    He is the senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International based in Durban, South Africa. He is also the founder of Tim Omotoso Global Outreach and Ancient of Day Broadcasting Network

    According to News24, Irma Schoeman, the trial judge, yesterday, ruled that the state prosecutor did not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
    The Nigerian pastor had been in South African prison since his arrest in 2017.

  • South African court acquits Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso of rape charges

    South African court acquits Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso of rape charges

    A South African court found a Nigerian televangelist not guilty on 32 charges Wednesday, eight years after he was jailed on accusations of raping and sexually assaulting several young women from his church.

    Eastern Cape High Court judge Irma Schoeman said the prosecution had mishandled its case against Tim Omotoso, 66, senior pastor at the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church based in South Africa.

    Omotoso, arrested in 2017, fell to his knees and appeared to pray after the judge found him not guilty of all charges, which included sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

    Schoeman said that while the pastor’s explanations appeared improbable, state prosecutors had not proved beyond reasonable doubt their case against him and two assistants who also faced charges.

    “The accused are found not guilty and are discharged on all the charges,” she ruled.

    The women who testified against Omotoso said they were handpicked by the pastor, who would pray for forgiveness after each encounter with them.

    Some had been part of a gospel girl band called Grace Galaxy set up by the pastor and others were still at school, the judge said.

    With South Africa battling high rates of rape and abuse of women and children, dozens of women picketed outside the court in the eastern coastal city of Gqeberha as the verdict was being read out.

    Thousands of people rallied in several cities on Tuesday to demand that authorities take action after a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped at her school last year. There have been no arrests.

    According to police figures, 42,500 rapes were reported in South Africa in the financial year 2023-24.

  • EFCC probes man over $578,000 cash smuggling

    EFCC probes man over $578,000 cash smuggling

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigating Okorie Sunday, arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with $578,000 by the Nigeria Customs Service.

    EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, saying that the suspect would be charged to court following the investigation’s conclusion.

    Oyewale explained that Effiong Harrison, Area Comptroller of Customs at the airport, handed the suspect over to the EFCC on Friday for falsely declaring currency.

    He said Sunday arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday and declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk upon entry into the country.

    However, Customs officials discovered an additional $299,000 concealed in separate packages, bringing the total undeclared amount to $578,000, which led to his arrest.

    Further inspection revealed the suspect also hid €100 and a counterfeit $250 note, further aggravating the breach of currency declaration laws.

    Harrison condemned the act, citing that it violates the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, which mandates declaring sums above $10,000 or equivalent upon entry or exit.

    Speaking for the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, Harrison confirmed that the $578,000 would be formally handed over to the EFCC for continued investigation.

    Receiving the suspect, EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director, Lagos, Ahmed Ghali, commended Customs for their cooperation and emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration.

    “We are here to take over a passenger from South Africa who falsely declared the cash he was carrying into the country,” Ghali stated.

    He urged the public to declare any amount above $10,000 when entering or leaving Nigeria, in line with the country’s money laundering regulations.

    Ghali appealed to citizens to avoid false declarations, warning that the law will catch up with those attempting to undermine financial transparency.

    “We will not permit any action that sabotages the economy or financial system, as such conduct increases the risk of money laundering and economic instability,” he said.

    According to him, such actions tarnish Nigeria’s image, making it seem a haven for fraud.

    He pledged continued cooperation to strengthen the economy and financial systems.

  • Suspected transformer vandal meets waterloo in Akwa Ibom

    Suspected transformer vandal meets waterloo in Akwa Ibom

    A suspected vandal in connection with the vandalism of a transformer belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has been found dead in Eket, Akwa Ibom.

    Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Saturday, the Regional Manager of PHEDC, Mr Anthony Etim, said that incident happened at the transformer on Party House Road in Ikot Ibiok area.

    He said that the incident happened Wednesday, March 19, at about 3 a.m. at Ikot Ibiok village in Eket.
    Etim said that the lifeless body of the suspect was found beside the transformer and the crowd gathered at the vicinity identified the deceased, saying that he lived at Mkpok area of Eket.

    He said that the police later took the corpse away and decried that the incessant activities of vandals in the area had plunged many PHDC customers into darkness in the area.

    According to him, vandalism is ongoing on a daily basis and it is everywhere, it is only that this one has met his waterloo.

    “We have been telling the communities to be watchful of their electricity facilities and we have been telling the entire PHEDC franchise on the need to safeguard their installations.

    “What happened on Wednesday, we saw that it is the community person that was involved.

    “There are vandals around and they are not far, they are within; I thank God that PHEDC officials have been vindicated.

    ’’He is not our staff and no link to our staff on this matter,” Etim said.

    He, however, could not give the exact numbers of cases of vandalised transformers in Eket but said, ‘’there are quite good number of cases of vandalism across board in the area.’’

    Etim advised the customers and community leaders to watch over their electricity installations and do all in their power to protect them against vandals.

  • Police arraign 12 suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    Police arraign 12 suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    The Ondo State Command has arraigned 12 suspected kidnappers arrested in the state.

    A statement by the command’s spokesperson Funmi Odunlami, in Akure, the state capital, said the 12 suspects were arraigned in court about kidnapping.

    Odunlami said that they include Usman Mohammed, Komolafe Sunday, Olalekan Temitope, Umaru Abubakar Sanda, Amodu Yusuf, Usman Mohammed and Nasiru Ojo.

    Others are Ishiaku Abdul, Mohammed Mallam Bala, Abdullahi Abubakar, Cede Mohammed and Buba Abdul.

    The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, appreciated the people who have supported the course of security through timely information.

    According to her “We urge members of the public to continue to support the activities of the Police via giving relevant information that will help rid the state of crime and criminality and also aid justice for victims of crime.

    “Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to reach out to the Command through our official lines or visit the nearest police station.”

    Odunlami also said that the Command has completed a two-day training for its personnel toward enhancing security in the state.

    The training, she explained centred on proactive policing techniques through crime mapping and nipping, and tackling insecurity in the state.

    According to her “The personnel who were taught on the use of modern day equipment to detect crime within their Area of Responsibility (AOR) using technological techniques learnt and strategic deployment of resources.

    ” Participants were engaged through practical sessions where they learned how to gather and process information into Intelligence.

    “Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, expressed his appreciation to the facilitators and participants for their dedication and cooperation in making the program a success.

    “He emphasised the importance of applying the knowledge acquired at the training into their daily policing activities and urge officers to remain professional in their approach to crime prevention and law enforcement as policing has evolved and nipping crime has its methodology that should be brought to bare to enhance crime detection.

    Meanwhile, as part of the Command’s effort to strengthen its Community Safety Partnership amongst the people of the state, the Commissioner of Police, held a security meeting with members of Fulani from various communities in the State.

    Afolabi said he had to come to Owo community himself to meet the people to discuss how the security of the State will not be compromised.

    He urged the community members not to harbour criminals under the guise of tribal affiliation and to actively participate in the security of the State and complement the Police efforts by providing genuine information that would help rid the state of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping.

    The Police Commissioner further spoke on the need for peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers emphasizing that peace and security are essential for business growth.

    He cautioned against encroachment and grazing into farmlands area, noting that farming is also the farmers means of livelihood and both parties must respect boundaries.

    The leadership of the Fulani community, in response , commended the efforts of the Police in maintaining law and order and assured the police commissioner of their commitment to peaceful co-existence and promise never to cover, engage in or support any criminal activity that could destabilize the State.

    They promised to support the Police by providing information that would help nip crime and enhance security in the area.

  • Police detain suspected car thief, recover 2 stolen vehicles in Lagos

    Police detain suspected car thief, recover 2 stolen vehicles in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a 22-year-old member of an armed robbery syndicate specializing in car theft.

    The command’s spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest and detention in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Lagos.

    Hundeyin said that the suspect was apprehended in the Ikotun area of the state through intelligence gathering.

    “The syndicate targets vehicles in the Eastern part of Nigeria and transports their victims’ cars to Lagos and sell them.

    “During interrogation, he confessed to receiving three Lexus 330 and one Lexus 350 2017 model from an accomplice, a woman, who is still at large,” Hundeyin said.

    The police image maker said that the suspect led a team of operatives to where he sold the cars.

    “One Lexus 350 silver in color and a Lexus 330 black in color were recovered,” he said.

    According to him, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and possible recovery of all the stolen vehicles.

    The spokesperson said that the suspect was assisting team of police operatives to recover the remaining two Lexus cars.

  • Doctor removed 3 litres of pus from Abia farmer’s abdomen; Police investigate death

    Doctor removed 3 litres of pus from Abia farmer’s abdomen; Police investigate death

    The Abia State Police Command, said it had launched investigation into the death of one Joseph Urum, an employee of Do Good Farm, Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of the state, vowing to unravel the truth behind the death.

    Read Also: State of emergency: Akpabio opens up on alleged $15,000 bribe to senators

    This is as the doctor who attended to the deceased before he died, said about three litres of pus were extracted from his abdomen.

    Meanwhile, the paramount traditional ruler of Abiriba ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachoken Abiriba IV), has sued for peace, and demanded justice for both the deceased and the owner of the multi-million piggery farm.

    Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State, Maureen Chilaka, told  Vanguard that some suspects had been taken into custody over the matter.

    The PPRO said personnel of the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, handling the matter, had already visited the hospital where the deceased died, and dropped a letter for the doctor on the history of treatment given to the late Joseph.

    She said:”We are aware of the matter. Investigations are on-going. We have been to the hospital where he died and dropped a letter with the doctor  on treatment history before and after his death. Once we gather reasonable facts, we shall know if there is need for autopsy.”

    Recall that after the death of Joseph on February 26, 2025,  his fellow workers – Oko Ukaegbu, Pastor Ejemole Ukaegbu, Maduka, Bassey, were arrested and detained by the police following allegations that he died in a questionable circumstance.

    As suspicion and controversy continued to build over the matter, youths of the community reportedly threatened to burn down the piggery farm.

    Meanwhile, the owner of the multi-million piggery farm, Mrs Onyinye Urum Ukaegbu Ibe, based in the United States of America,  petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking his intervention, and calling for thorough investigation into the matter.

    The US-based investor and step-aunty of the deceased  said she established the farm to assist her relations at home.

    She expressed bewilderment over  the various allegations and controversies trailing the death of Joseph, her step sister’s son.

    She dismissed the allegations as false and a veiled ploy to destroy her investments.

    Distancing herself from the death of the deceased, she called for autopsy to ascertain the actual cause of the death.

    Mother, siblings of the deceased seek justice

    The mother of the deceased, Mrs Jane Agwu Nmaju (nee Urum); his elder sister, Mrs Nne Ejituru; and younger sister, Mrs Ruth Uchechukwu, have demanded justice for the late Joseph.

    The trio who spoke with newsmen in Umuahia, raised suspicion over the circumstances surrounding Joseph’s death, and demanded explanations from those who took him to hospital.

    They said Joseph, prior to his death, was not complaining of any ailments, and called for autopsy to unravel the actual cause of his death.

    “We don’t know what killed him. Those who were taking him round hospitals should explain to us. We want justice for him. How can he be sick at Abiriba only to be taken to Mbaise hospital to die?”

    The mother of six who said she lives in Bayelsa, demanded explanations on why her son would be rushed to the hospital and surgery allegedly conducted on him without the consent of any close family member.

    “They ought to have called to inform us and seek our consent before the surgery”, one of the daughters added.

    Joseph’s mother who said she is the eldest in her paternal Urum family, also expressed annoyance that she was prevented from seeing Joseph’s corpse at the mortuary where she was reportedly told she could only see him after seven days of embalment.

    Narrating their grief, her daughter, Nne, said:”My mother said they contacted her and asked her to agree so that Joseph could be operated on. They knew she lives in Bayelsa and it would take some time for her to arrive. Then when she told them that her daughter (Ruth) lives in Umuahia, and would join them soon, they said they were at Mbaise.

    “The next they said was that he was dead. Then,  when my mother came with some family members they said he had been deposited in the mortuary and that his corpse cannot be seen until after seven days.

    “So, we became surprised and suspicious. How can our brother be that sick and surgery conducted on him without our consent? Ejimole who is my mother’s step-brother ought to have told us before taking my brother to Mbaise”, Mrs Ejituru fumed.

    Corroborating this account, her sister Ruth said:”When my mother told me Joseph was sick, I got to the hospital at Mbaise around 9am on February 26 and saw him on a surgical table and knew he was already lifeless. The hospital was like a shop.

    “I saw that my brother already had a tear in his abdomen. I inquired from the doctor what happened. He said they didn’t run any test on him. I said: Why will they operate on him just like that? By mere looking at him, he was just lifeless. I knew he was already dead but it wasn’t I that would pronounce him dead. The doctor said his intestines were like something that was cooked.

    “I told the doctor it was unfortunate he could do that kind of surgery without test or scan. I became angry and stepped out. Within 15 minutes the doctor came out and said he was done and that the operation was successful.

    “After the operation, he left for about three hours. We became worried and I asked the nurse, and she said the doctor was coming. Ejimole was busy making calls”.

    My story – Dr. Alexander Ohanyere

    Meanwhile, when Vanguard visited Evergreen Hospital & Maternity, Onicha Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State, where the deceased died, the Proprietor, Dr Alexander Ohanyere, said he tried his best to save him but without success.

    “I tried to give him the best services; I took some desperate measures to save him but, unfortunately they didn’t work”.

    He explained that the patient was rushed to his hospital around 1:00am as an emergency case, and he tried to stabilize him before he would be wheeled into the theater for surgery but regretted that he died while efforts were still on to stabilize him.

    “I got a call from a patient I had treated before, saying they had an emergency situation. So, when they came, it was already a contaminated case. I told them that the patient can’t go to the theatre due to his condition. He lacked blood, and the scan result he came with showed the intestines were perforated.

    “He also had low blood pressure. We needed to stabilize him first before any surgery could be conducted on him. After some times the kidneys stopped working.

    “As we kept making efforts to revive him, I noticed massive water in his abdomen. Then the quick intervention was to drain the massive water in his abdomen. I was amazed to see pus in his abdomen.

    “For the abdomen to be that rotten, it means it had been bad for some weeks.

    So, I removed about 10 milligram of fluid and he reacted positively to show he had relief. Then I brought a bucket and removed about three litres of pus from his abdomen.”

    Responding to a question, the Family Physician who read at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, said ruptured appendicitis, low immunity, among others, could possibly cause such situation.

    Asked if he conducted any surgery on the organs of  the deceased as being rumoured, Dr Ohanyere answered to the contrary, saying he did not go beyond “extracting the mass fluid in his abdomen”.

    Dr Ohanyere said anyone in doubt of what happened should call for autopsy.

    Meanwhile, a Doctor at Abiriba General Hospital, Dr Joshua Okereke, where the late Joseph was first taken to, said he noticed the seriousness of the matter and referred him immediately to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Umuahia where the facilities to handle him were available.

    According to him, the patient manifested symptoms of acute abdomen which required surgical emergency within 24 hours, hence his decision to refer him to a tertiary hospital for adequate attention.

    “We don’t have the facility to handle him here. So, within 20 minutes, I had referred him to the FMC that has everything needed to manage his situation.

    “Acute abdomen means something is wrong inside the abdominal cavity. It could be intestinal obstruction or a hole, or ulcer that has eaten the stomach. The sickness was not like something that came suddenly. Looking at him you will see he has been sick.”

    Dr Okereke wondered why  he (doctor) had to be subjected to police interrogation, having referred the deceased to a higher hospital without delays.

    “I’m surprised that police are involving us. The patient left here alive but very sick. Whatever happened to him later, I was not aware.”

    Farm employee speaks

    One of the employees of the Do Good Farm, Mrs Confidence Nduka, told Vanguard that the deceased usually complained of loss of appetite, and would avoid his meals and rather take ‘tea’ in lieu of solid food.

    She said that the deceased who was recruited towards the end of January 2025, had no issues with any co-worker, wondering where the allegation of murder was coming from.

    Other staff of the farm narrated how some of the workers now in detention assisted in rushing the deceased to the hospital when he complained of stomach ache, expressing shock that anybody could come up with murder allegation.

    Nnanna Urum Ukaegbu, who said the deceased was a member of their extended  family, narrated how their sister based in the US  established the farm to assist the family.

    He said it sounded strange for anyone to allege murder after frantic efforts were made by the arrested co-workers to save the life of the deceased.

    On why the deceased was rather taken to a clinic at Mbaise in Imo State instead of FMC Umuahia, a tertiary hospital where he was referred to by the doctor at Abiriba general hospital, it was said that he was allegedly told at FMC “to come back in the morning due to lack of space.”

    The detained co-workers were quoted to have said that they got to FMC but were not attended to , and in their desperation to save the life of their brother , decided to go to Mbaise hospital based on recommended by a friend whom the doctor had once treated while practicing in Enugu.

    They were said to have been told at the emergency unit to return in the morning because “there was no space.”

    The source said that in their desperation to save Joseph who was not admitted at FMC, somebody suggested that they should contact the doctor at Mbaise who treated him some years ago at Enugu.

    When contacted for a response, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of FMC Umuahia,  Chief Darlington Madubuko, said the Management of the hospital would investigate the claims.

    The PRO explained that sometimes if there were no bed space to admit a patient brought at odd hour at the emergency unit, the patient could be asked to come when there would be space.

    Asked why a patient brought under emergency should be turned back for lack of bed space, the PRO said that the policy was adopted due to blackmail as people were posting on the social media, images of patients being attended to on the floor.

    He said: ”Remember that there was no record to prove that the person you are referring to was our patient since he was not admitted. But we will investigate the matter.

    “If the time they arrived was too late, and there was no bed space at the emergency unit, there is no way he would be admitted. We were admitting before even when there was no bed space but people started posting photos of patients on the floor to blackmail us”.

    He explained that the hospital is usually overcrowded due to high patronage by patients from neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Imo and Rivers States.

    The PRO, however, said that the current management of the hospital was making spirited efforts to address the challenge of infrastructure, hinting that the new emergency building it embarked on would soon be ready.

    “We are building a new emergency unit and it will soon be ready. There’s massive infrastructural development with new equipment by the current management to make sure we give the best of services”.

    The Chief Medical Director, CMD, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi told Vanguard that the new Emergency building “which is triple the existing one” would be opened by the first week of April as he had just secured approval to engage 35 new nurses to boost the manpower team.

    He said that the challenge of crowded bed space would have been addressed by the time the new complex becomes operational.

    Monarch

    Meanwhile, the paramount traditional ruler of Abiriba ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachoken Abiriba IV), said peace had been restored to the area following his intervention.

    He said that when he heard about the matter, he invited both parties to the palace for arbitration but decided to hand the matter over to the police for proper investigation due to the heavy allegations involved.

    “ When I heard of the matter I invited all the parties. The siblings of the deceased told us that their brother died in questionable circumstances. So, I invited the police, and told the police: This is your area. Go and investigate and find out what happened. I’m very sure  police know what to do.”

    The monarch also said he had stopped an attempt by irate locals to burn down the farm, arguing that it is not proper to destroy ones property based on mere allegations.

    “By then, tension was already rising in the community. They were thinking of how to burn down the farm but I said it was not proper to destroy somebody’s investment because of allegations. So, in the interim, I asked them to put palm fronds there to allow for partial operations in the farm. We learnt there are animals in the farm and  if you lock it down they will all die.

    “There are no more threats. Once we handed over the matter to the police, both families have been cooperating.”

    Enachoken said his concern was justice for both the deceased and the owner of the farm.

    “‘I want justice for the deceased; I want justice for the owner of the farm. After police investigations, whoever is at fault, we will know, and start addressing the fault. We don’t want another person to die. We will continue to do our best to ensure there is peace. I want peace in my community. Both parties are my subjects”.

    On the rumour that some youths are threatening that the deceased would be buried on the farm, an action considered as a ploy to take over the farm from the owner, Enachoken there was no basis for such thinking.

    “ We don’t address rumour. But if there is any reason for that the family will come to the community. They can’t decide that on their own. The issue of where to bury him has not arisen. If at the end of the day, he died of natural cause, why should anyone go and bury him in the farm?

    “If the police are through with investigation, we will call all the parties again at the palace and tell them what to do”, Enachoken said.