*As family protests, accuses Edo Police of complicity

By Simon Egbebulem

BENIN CITY – CONTROVERSY is trailing the death of 26 year-old Benson Obode, who was said to have been arrested in Benin City on May 21 2015, by policemen who claimed that they were from Lagos Police Command.

The policemen had accused Benson of buying a stolen vehicle, arrested and took him to an undisclosed cell in Benin. His family and lawyer were never allowed to see him, just as they alleged they were initially told that he was taken to Abuja and later Lagos, only to be informed last week that their son died in custody.

At press time, no formal information had been given to the family by the police authorities. As a matter fact, it took a local radio crew that travelled to Lagos and Abuja on several occasions before the police in Lagos said Benson allegedly died from ‘mob action.’

Family members, friends and associates, yesterday, protested the killing of Benson, whose corpse it was learned was deposited at the mortuary in Benin by one Corporal Oniyon Musa same day he was arrested.

The protesters stormed the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly, Edo Government House and headquarters of Edo Police Command demanding for an independent autopsy to ascertain the actual cause of Benson’s death.

His elder brother, Solomon, said the police were yet to inform the family what happened to Benson since he was arrested, adding that N200,000 cash, phones and ATM cards belonging to his late brother were still missing.

At press time, the family is yet to hear from the Police either from Lagos or Edo State. However, when contacted, the Edo State Police Commissioner, Samuel Adegbuyi said he was on leave.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Stephen Onwochei did not pick repeated calls put across to his phone.