By  Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN CITY—THE family of late Pa Michael Egbobawaye, the Odionwere of Nekpenekpen Street, off First East Circular Road in Benin City, who was crushed to death by a driver attached to a private company in the  city penultimate week, has debunked reports that their father shared a local gin (Ogogoro) with the suspect before he met his untimely death.

In a letter signed by their lawyer, Samson Omo Uwagboe & Co, the family said: “Our late father has never tasted any brand of drink for over twenty years, strictly on medical advice as a result of his ill health.

‘’At no time did our late father share Ogogoro drink with the said driver, nor were they ever friends.’’

It will be recalled that Pa Egbobawaye met his untimely death in the hands of a driver attached to a company, who crushed him to death after taking Ogogoro in the late Odionwere’s compound.

“The fact of the matter was that there was a traditional marriage ‘introduction ceremony,’ scheduled to commence at about 10am on that day at the bride’s home at Evbuotubu and late Pa Michael was to lead his bridegrooms family to the venue.

“He was in high spirit in preparation for the ceremony, sat comfortably on a chair in the veranda in front of his house, shaving when the driver suddenly drove the company’s vehicle into the compound, smashing our client’s father against the wall and killing him on the spot.’