…We are investigating –Police
CITIZEN COMPASS—Controversy is currently brewing in Auchi, Edo State following the mysterious death of a newly wed groom, Mr. Fidelis Osaghae.
Following the suspicious manner about the death, the family of the deceased had incidented the report with Edo State Police Command but alledging that the Command was perverting justice by shielding the principal suspect in the matter.
Until his death, the 33-year-old man was said to be an employee of one Mr. Oyemike Valentine, a hotelier and owner of a restaurant and recreational center, in the state.
The deceased was said to have left home in the early hours of Monday, July 29, only to be found dead some hours later.
Since they could not find justice, the bereaved family had reached out to a citizens engagement advocate, Akin Fadeyi who has since taken up matter.
Narrating the ughly incident, Fidelis’ widow, Esther Osaghae, who spoke through the Non Governmental Organisation said on that fateful day, her husband dashed home at about 2.30a.m with a waiting motorcycle on the account that his boss had sent him on an errand.
She said that was the last time she heard from him until her telephone rang and the caller requested that she proceed to a hospital only to find her husband stone dead and all efforts to get details of the sudden death were unsuccessful.
She added that some injuries were noticed on the body.
Buttressing the widow’s point, Akin Fadeyi, on his X Handle said he received the tragic news on August 1, through the Flagit App, created by the Engagement for reporting official corruption in Nigeria adding that he was briefed by the widow that the deceased died under suspicious circumstances.
The death has sparked reactions from social media influencers who are currently demanding for justice over the mysterious death.
The post partly reads, “TRAGIC NEWS”
“I am deeply saddened to announce a case we received on Tuesday, 1st August on the FlagIt App, an app created by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, for reporting official corruption in Nigeria. We were briefed by Mrs. Esther Osaghae, that her Husband, Mr. Fidelis Osaghae, has died under suspicious circumstances. On our further interaction, Esther Osaghae said her Husband was an employee of Mr. Oyemike Valentine, who runs a VALCHI Hotel, Restaurant, and Recreational center. She said her Husband returned home from work at 2.30am. and had to dash back to work at that dark night because, his “Boss told him to bring something”. He kept an Okada (Motorbike) waiting and told the wife, he was rushing back and would soon be back…at 2.30am! He had earlier worked from 1pm to that time 2.30am.
“From 5am when her Husband was not back, Esther began to call the Husband but she was unable to reach him. The wife became distressed and decided to call one Tracey, who is a supervisor at the same facility where the deceased worked.
“Tracey was alleged to have assured the wife that “everything is under control” and ended the call on her. At about 6am, our client finally received a call from Mr. Oyemike Valentine, the deceased’s boss, who told her to come to Favour Hospital, Afasho, Edo State.
“Esther’s sister was with her at the time and offered to go to the hospital in place of Esther, considering her suckling baby. At the hospital, Esther’s sister met the dead body of Fidelis in the car of Mr. Oyemike Valentine, the deceased’s boss. She said.
“The hospital did not take the body because he was BID. This was how Esther Osaghae had to go herself to identify the body of her husband and noticed strange large black patch from chest to neck and dry blood stain on the chest of the deceased. Fidelis’ Trouser was also torn and we don’t understand why they tore his trousers revealing his boxers. According to the bereaved wife, the DPO of the Auchi division, Edo State, despite the visible injury on the body of the deceased told her and her sister that he suspects this wife and her elder sister as the murderers of Fidelis! He said Valentine Oyemike, Fidelis boss who brought him dead to the hospital had already briefed him that Fidelis “committed suicide by drinking sniper” and based on this, he believes Oyemike.”
In a telephone conversation with Akin Fadeyi, he claimed that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had been briefed about the matter.
Contacted, spokesperson, Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Joel Yamu, said the matter was under investigation due to the controversies surrounding it.
He said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for further investigation.
“I cannot give further details about this matter because it is under investigation. It has been transferred to the Homicide Division of the State CID because it has been generating controversies.”
Fadeyi told Citizens Compass that the Advocate would ensure justice.
