Mrs. Chinwe Ozuah, the mother of
Ugochukwu Ozuah, the man who was allegedly killed by policemen five days after
his wedding, on Thursday in Lagos said the police should be held responsible
for her son’s death.
Chinwe, who held back tears, recalled
that she saw her son a day before the incident, lamenting that she did not know
that was the last time she would see him.
She said, “The police killed my son
and all I want for him is justice. The last time I saw him was last Wednesday
and we spoke. He made so many promises to me but unfortunately he was killed.
Family members of the 36-year-old man
have again berated the police for the alleged murder and insensitivity.
Ugochukwu’s family berated the police
not only for the alleged murder but also for their inability to carry out
proper investigation.
In view of this, the family expressed
concern that the police might eventually cover up the case.
The deceased’s friend, Irikefe Omene,
who was with the slain man, had told PUNCH
Metro that Özuah was
killed by policemen around UPS on Oworonsoki Expressway on September 20, 2012.
But the police denied the allegation
immediately, attributing the incident to armed robbery.
The deceased’s elder sister, Nkechi
Nnoyelu, berated the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, for
insensitivity.
She said, “The only son of the family
has been killed and yet the police still remain insensitive. The PPRO, who has
been granting press interviews, never even deemed it fit to condole with the
family.
“The police are saying that my brother
was attacked by armed robbers but his phones were not stolen, he had money in
his wallet which was untouched and yet they call it a robbery.
“It baffles me that the police, were
on the scene but they did not even attempt to take him to hospital or give any
kind of care, they were all watching.”
Nkechi said denial by the police that
Omene did not write any statement at the police station was an indication that
their investigation would be shoddy.
Meanwhile, condolence register had
been opened in honour of the slain man.
The deceased’s widow, Joan, sat
mute on a chair when our correspondent visited Ozuah’s residence.
As at the time our correspondent left
the home, nearly 80 condolence messages had been written in his honour.
Mrs. Ije Ekobay wrote, “Ugo, I just
saw your smiling face two days ago. The devil is a liar! Death has neither say
over you nor victory over you. May your sweet soul rest in perfect peace.”
Another friend, Tosin Adesina, wrote,
“Brother, it was wonderful knowing you. You were a gentleman, intelligent,
confident, generous, patient and very driven. I celebrate your life with a lot
of pain in my heart.”
Perhaps, one of the most
emotion-laden comments was written by Ugochukwu’s niece, Nina Ndu-Nwogu.
It reads, “Dear uncle Ugo, you were
there even when I was in the womb and now you’re gone. I was the flower girl at
your wedding and those memories I will cherish forever. When I heard of your
departure, I believed you’re in a deep sleep and God needed the help of more
angels so he called on you. You will always be in my heart. I will always love
you.”
Ukomadu Gabriel wrote, “Oh not again.
Another casualty of Nigeria Police Force. You were a quiet and lovely fellow.
One would not have imagined this sort of incident. God knows it all, rest in
peace.”
Our correspondent learnt that various
human rights groups, including the Office of the Public Defender of the
Ministry of Justice, had started working on the matter to ensure that police
did not cover up.
Nkechi, who decried the rising cases
of extra-judicial killings, said a foundation would be set up in honour of
Ozuah.
She said, “I want a foundation set up
in honour of my brother to help families of victims of police killing.
“Ugo used to be called, mummy’s
handbag. Even when my dad was alive, he was too close to my mum. Even though he
was my younger brother, he was our father.”
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