The family of an alleged murder victim, Tunde Ajayi, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, over the death of their son in police custody, demanding justice.
The Ajayi family also raised the alarm that the principal suspect in the alleged murder of their son, identified as Abiodun, was planning to escape justice with the aid of the police.
The Ajayi family, in a three-page petition to the police inspector general, alleged that an earlier attack on Tunde by a group, led by one Abiodun in the Agoyi 3 area of Lagos State in February this year, and the failure of the police at Alapere to give the victim quick medical attention, resulted in his untimely death in police cell.
In the petition, filed by the chambers of Chief I.A Odumosu, the lawyers to the Ajayi family of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, the petitioners said that the police had accused Tunde of committing arson, after he had been severely beaten by Abiodun and others, who also allegedly tied him up and dumped him in a room, where he was eventually rescued by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Alapere Police Station.
The family claimed that Tunde, however, died in police custody on February 14, this year, “without receiving medical attention.”
Following their son’s death in police custody, the family said it petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, who ordered the arrest of Abiodun, the principal suspect, and four others, namely: Sarafa, Muibat (Caretaker), Mutiu and Anifat.
The suspects were, however, later released on bail and Abiodun, the family claimed, seized the opportunity to petition the inspector general of police.
The family also claimed that the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad later re-arrested the four other suspects, except Abiodun, on the orders of the police inspector general.
According to a copy of the petition, obtained by our correspondent, “From the look of things, Abiodun is trying to escape from justice and the police at Abuja are trying to give him unnecessary cover-up. Or why should the police at Abuja be blowing hot and cold at the same time? Their interest in the matter is very suspicious.”
The family vowed to “stoutly resist” attempt by anyone to shield the suspects from prosecution, saying, “They have killed Tunde Ajayi and they should face the consequences in the interest of justice.”
Efforts to speak with the Force Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, proved
abortive.
Jimoh also did not reply to a text message sent to his phone.
