Rights groups ask IGP to release probe report on ‘mysterious death’ of restaurant manager in Edo

The Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, and Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) have petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), demanding the release of the probe report on the death of 33-year-old Fidelis Osaghae.

Osaghae, a father of one, was the manager of the Angle 90 branch of Valchi Fast Food and Bar in Auchi, Edo state, before his death on July 29, 2024.

Esther Osaghae, the deceased’s wife, had raised concerns over the circumstances of his death, alleging that his employer, Valentine Oyemike, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 house of assembly election in Delta state, has questions to answer.

PETITION AND ALLEGATIONS

In a petition dated January 19, 2025, and signed by Akin Fadeyi, AFF’s executive director; Elina Martins, FIDA’s national president, and Saudatu Mahdi, WRAPA’s secretary general, the groups asked the police to conduct a “thorough, quick, and transparent investigation”.

They demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all suspects, including Oyemike, stating that Osaghae “allegedly met his untimely death in the early hours of 29 July 2024 while in his employer’s custody”.

The petitioners also disputed the autopsy report, describing it as “inconclusive” and warning that it could provide a loophole for the suspects to walk free.

They criticised the autopsy report for failing to address Osaghae’s visible injuries, including a broken head and scalp.

“We vehemently call for another independent post-mortem examination to determine the true cause of death,” they wrote.

‘HOW OSAGHAE DIED’

Narrating her story, the deceased’s wife said her husband returned home from work around 2:30 am on July 29 to retrieve an item his boss asked for, instructing her not to lock the door as he would return soon.

When he failed to come back or answer his phone, she called his colleague, a supervisor identified as Tracey, who initially responded with “Mana!”— a short form for Manager — before abruptly ending the call.

After multiple attempts, Tracey later told her that “everything was under control” before hanging up again.

At around 6:00 am, Oyemike contacted her, asking her to come to Favour hospital in Afasho, Edo state.

Unable to go due to nursing her child, her sister, Etomi, went in her place.

Upon arrival, she found Osaghae’s lifeless body in Oyemike’s car, with the hospital confirming he had been brought in dead.

AUTOPSY REPORT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS

The petitioners noted alleged inconsistencies in the autopsy report, questioning why it failed to explain dark patches on Osaghae’s chest, possible signs of restraint, or the source of bloodstains on his trousers.

“The report fails to explore the possibility that these patches could be indicative of physical restraint or blunt force trauma,” they added.

“Furthermore, the report notes the presence of blood stains on the deceased’s trousers but fails to address the source of these stains or the external injuries that may have caused them.”

They also pointed out that the report did not examine Osaghae’s hands, arms, or fingernails for defensive wounds, critical in suspected struggles.

“The report also fails to provide a detailed analysis of the deceased’s hands, arms, or fingernails, which are critical areas for identifying defensive wounds in a suspected struggle,” they wrote

“This lack of scrutiny raises concerns about the possibility of foul play and the need for further investigation.”

The human rights groups further questioned whether the autopsy had been influenced, stating that “if the autopsy was conducted under undue influence, there is a risk that critical evidence may have been overlooked, or intentionally suppressed in the report, to obscure the true cause of death”.

CALL FOR AN INDEPENDENT POST-MORTEM

The groups are demanding an independent post-mortem examination by “unbiased forensic experts” to reassess Osaghae’s injuries, determine the cause of the bloodstains, and conduct a toxicological re-evaluation.

“A toxicological re-evaluation is necessary to clarify the exact timeline of poisoning and whether it was a chronic exposure or acute ingestion,” they added.

“Further analysis may also detect other substances, such as sedatives, that could explain incapacitation before ingestion.”

The petitioners also questioned why, months after the investigation, the report had yet to be made public while the alleged suspects “walk the streets freely”.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the police, did not immediately respond to TheCable’s request for comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.