Widow turns to IGP over ‘mysterious death’ of her husband in Edo

The circumstances surrounding the death of 33-year-old Fidelis Osaghae on July 29 at his workplace, ValChi Fast Foods and Bar, Angle 90 Branch, in Auchi, Edo State, have left many questions unanswered.

ValChi Fast Foods and Bar is owned by Valentine Oyemike, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Delta State House of Representatives elections.

Esther Osaghae, the widow of the deceased, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the controversy surrounding her husband’s death.

At a press conference held by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), a non-governmental organization dealing with the case, he said: Esther expressed her frustration over the incident.

Esther, who had been married to Fidelis for just a year and was breastfeeding a two-month-old baby, said that Fidelis left home on July 28 after receiving a call from Oyemike at around 2:30 a.m. telling her not to lock the door because he would be back soon.

When she woke up at 5 a.m. and found that her husband had not returned, she tried to contact him but received no response.

Subsequent calls to his workplace were initially answered by Tracy, a supervisor, who told Esther that “the situation was under control.” Then Tracy stopped taking her calls.

“I didn't understand what she meant. I called endlessly, but the lady didn't answer. Later, around 6 a.m., a strange number called me. I answered and it was my husband's boss, Valentine Oyemike,” said Esther.

“He told me to come to Favour Hospital in Afasho. I asked him what happened to my husband and he said he was fine. My sister Omolara said she would represent me because I have a two-month-old baby. She went there.

“The only thing I know is that when I went to that hospital later, I was taken to the morgue and saw Fidelis. I wondered what he was doing there in the morgue. I need to know what happened to my husband.

“Oyemike said Fidelis committed suicide by drinking sniper in the office. How is that even possible? Our marriage is only a year old and we have a two-month-old baby. He is not unhappy. I am not saying Oyemike killed my husband. I am saying my husband died at his workplace and has marks on his body. I want to know the truth about his death.”

“WE DEMAND A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION”

According to Esther, Fidelis had worked for Oyemike for four years and was his manager at the time of his death.

On the night in question, he had come home briefly to “pick something out for his boss” before going back to work. Esther said this was normal procedure, but she never heard from him again that morning.

The incident was reported to Auchi police station, but Esther expressed her dissatisfaction with the way the case was handled.

She claimed that the Auchi Divisional Police Officer tried to dissuade her from demanding an autopsy and even suggested that she and her sister might be responsible for Fidelis' death.

“The DPO said he and Oyemike suspected me and my sister of killing Fidelis. He said Oyemike was an honourable man,” Omolara said.

“Oyemike did not even come to pay a condolence visit to the family of his deceased employee who reportedly died at his workplace.

“The DPO said if we wanted to pursue the case, we would have to spend money, adding that an autopsy alone would cost 600,000 naira.

“He always silenced me when I wanted to speak. But we are not afraid of an investigation. We want the case to be investigated.”

TheCable has learnt that the Akin Fadeyi Foundation has asked the IGP to take over the investigation and ensure a fair conclusion.

Akin Fadeyi, the organization's founder, expressed concern about Fidelis' “mysterious” death.

“We want the IGP to give marching orders to unravel the mystery surrounding Fidelis’ death,” Fadeyi said.

“We have requested that the case be transferred. The fact is that a gentleman whose marriage is only a year old went to work at 1 p.m., ran home at about 2:30 a.m. and said his boss had asked him to bring him something, which is the norm, and then ran out again and told his wife not to lock the door and that he would be back soon.”

Fadeyi also criticised the “poor handling” of the case by the Auchi police, saying that no arrests were made and that the police quickly cleared Oyemike of any involvement in Fidelis' death.

He expressed concerns about the possibility of a compromise in the case given Oyemike's influential status in the community.

“Oyemike is an influential person in Auchi, Edo State and therefore we cannot risk our vote of confidence in the investigation into the death of Mr. Fidelis in this jurisdiction for fear of interference and compromise,” the foundation’s petition to the IGP said.

“We know that in Nigeria, there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty before the law. We call on the Inspector General of Police to look into this matter and bring it to a just conclusion.

“We believe in the ability of the Nigerian Police to obtain justice for Ms. Esther and we stand ready to provide the necessary assistance in this regard.”

OYEMIKE DECLINES COMMENT

When TheCable contacted Oyemike, he declined to comment on the matter.

“I have nothing to say to you. The media has already done enough damage to the situation,” he said.

“The case is under investigation and that's why I can't talk to you. Don't worry about my side of the story. Publish whatever you want. I'll meet you in court.”

Abel Oguntula, the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Auchi Police Division, also gave a brief answer in a telephone conversation with TheCable.

“I can't tell you anything. The case is no longer with me, it is now at headquarters. It is a criminal investigation,” he said.

Commenting on the matter, Edo Police Spokesperson Joel Moses told TheCable that the case was currently under investigation.

“No one can say the circumstances of Fidelis' death until the investigation is complete,” Moses said.

“In such a controversial death, an autopsy is necessary to determine the actual cause of death. The investigation is ongoing and an autopsy has been ordered on the instructions of the police chief.

“As soon as the investigation is complete, the police will make the results public.”

When asked whether arrests had already been made in this case, the police spokesman replied: “I cannot confirm that, I would have to find out.”