‘Mailafia’s death smacks of foul play’ — Southern Kaduna union demands probe

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has called for an investigation into the death of Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mailafia died Sunday morning at an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.

Luka Binniyat, the spokesperson of SOKAPU, described Mailafia’s death as a huge loss to Nigeria.

He said the union suspects foul play in his death and demanded a “thorough independent forensic analysis” to determine the cause.

“The death of Dr. Mailafiya is a sad, huge loss not only to Southern Kaduna and Nigeria but to the global community,” the statement reads.

“The kinds of Mailafiya are not common to find in any generation. He was not only one who loved Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt and all other suppressed persons in Nigeria, he was a global citizen.

“He was so accomplished in his field that his services were sought after worldwide as his biography reveals.

“Before his curious and sudden demise, Dr Mailafiya had been persistent in accusing ‘powerful persons’ in power of plotting to eliminate him permanently.

“In fact, he had been in hiding when his harassment from the secret police became too persistent.

“A select officials had visited him sometimes last year at his abode where a friendly governor had given him a safe place to stay complete with security.

“For a person of interest to the Nigerian government to arrive at a government hospital, just to be declared dead after a few hours, sure smacks of foul play.”