‘Missing ladies’: Egbetokun sets up panel to probe ‘death’ of Andrew Ochekwo

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has directed the police monitoring unit to investigate the death of Andrew Ochekwo, a businessman, who was allegedly linked to the disappearance of two ladies.

The two ladies have been identified as Celine Ndudim, a Nigerian, and Afiba Tandoh, a Ghanaian

WHAT HAPPENED?

In April, Ndudim and Tandoh were declared missing after they left Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, to visit Ochekwo in Aba, Abia state.

The ladies reportedly met Ochekwo via Facebook.

Since May, Harrison Gwamnishu, a human rights activist, has been using his social media pages to provide updates on the disappearance of the ladies.

Ochekwo was later arrested by police officers attached to the Abia police command.

Later in May, Gwamnishu, via a Facebook post, announced that Ochekwo was allegedly killed when he was trying to escape while being transported from Abia to Abuja.

The activist said the IGP had been petitioned that the businessman was “living large” in police custody in Abia, hence the move to transfer the suspect and case to Abuja.

In June, the activist alleged that one decomposing body was found near the residence of the suspect.

Gwamnishu said the decomposing body will be tested to ascertain if it belongs to one of the missing ladies.

IGP: WE’LL UNRAVEL THE MATTER

In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the IGP has assured Nigerians that the case will be handled with “utmost professionalism and integrity”.

“In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the force intelligence department intelligence response team (IGP-IRT),  to unravel the veritable facts of the matter,” the statement reads.

“The monitoring unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.

“The inspector-general of police assures that this case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging all well-meaning members of the public and all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

“Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at [email protected], and our social media accounts.”