Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s son dies in Dubai

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha has lost one of his sons, Oyamuyefa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Oyoms, the son of the former governor of Bayelsa state, died on Saturday, but reports on the circumstances of his death, were initially hazy.

But it subsequently emerged that the Dubai police said an autopsy revealed that the deceased, who was in his mid-20s, took his own life.

Fondly referred to as Oyoms, he was a student in a higher institution in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Goodluck Jonathan, president of Nigeria, has expressed shock over the incident.

In a statement issued by Reuben Abati, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Jonathan expressed sadness at news of the death.

“On behalf of his family and the federal government, Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Oyamuyefa’s father, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and his entire family on the untimely loss of a very dear son in the prime of his life,” he said.

“The president and the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, share their pain and grief over the death of Oyamuyefa in circumstances that are still unclear.

“Jonathan assures Chief Alamieyeseigha and his family of the full support of the federal government as they strive to unravel the true circumstances of the young man’s death. He prays that God Almighty will receive Oyamuyefa’s soul and comfort his grieving parents and siblings.”

Alamieyeseigha was governor of Bayelsa state from May 29, 1999 to December 9, 2005. He was detained in London on charges of money laundering in September 2005.

On July 26, 2007, he pleaded guilty before a Nigerian court to six charges and was sentenced to two years in prison on each charge. His actual sentence was however relatively short as the sentences, which were set to run concurrently, were backdated to the point of his initial arrest.

Alamieyeseigha was granted presidential pardon on March 12, 2013 in an exercise that has been widely criticised.