A law firm, Deji Adeyanju and Partners, has charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, with conducting an impartial and unbiased fresh investigation into the death of Erasmus Emhenya, who was allegedly tortured to death in police custody last April.
In a letter to the IGP, signed by Adeyanju, the firm insisted that the investigation must be conducted with utmost integrity and transparency throughout the process. They urged him to ensure a thorough and uncompromised investigation to restore public confidence and ensure justice prevails.
The law firm commended Egbetokun for reopening the investigation into the death of Emhenya, who was allegedly tortured to death in police custody last April.
The body noted the seriousness of the allegations and the need for an impartial investigation, especially in light of “prejudiced statements” made by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
READ ALSO: Police denies killing suspected cultist in custody
The Guardian recalls that the IGP had ordered a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a suspect, Emhenya, at the Nyanya Divisional Headquarters, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Erasmus, who was arrested by operatives of the FCT command over an incident in Nyanya, died on April 10, 2023, while in custody.
The mother of the deceased, a food seller in Abuja, during an interview on Human Rights Radio and Television program Brekete Family, accused the police of torturing her son to death while he was in custody.
She alleged that while Erasmus was in custody, all her efforts to see him proved abortive, saying police officers at the station denied her access to her son.
According to her, another suspect in custody broke the news of Erasmus’s death to her, alleging that her son died after being tortured by the police.
A video clip of the interview has been circulating on social media, capturing the attention of stakeholders, who called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The FCT police command had, however, refuted the allegation, insisting that an autopsy conducted on Erasmus’s body did not indicate torture.
According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Josephine Adeh, discreet investigations were conducted on the matter when it happened in 2023.
But the IGP, in a statement by Adejobi, on Tuesday night, expressed concern about the incident, directing the DIG FCID to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter and forward the report as soon as possible.
Adejobi said, “The IG has been apprised of the controversy surrounding the death of a young man named Erasmus Emhenya, who allegedly died in police custody at the Nyanya Divisional Police Headquarters, FCT on April 10, 2023.
“He has thereby ordered a fresh investigation to unravel the cause of death and ensure the prevalence of justice.
“The Inspector-General of Police, who has expressed his grave concern over the incident, has further directed the DIG FCID to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter and forward the report as soon as possible.”
