Police begin probe into death of hotel worker in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has announced that an investigation is underway into the mysterious death of Fidelis Osaghae in the Auchi area of Edo State.

Fidelis, an employee of Valchi Fast Food and Bar, is reported to have died under questionable circumstances on Monday, 29 July 2024, after allegedly being summoned by his employer, Valentine Oyemike, in the early hours of the morning.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Joel, informed our correspondent on Saturday that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“The case has been transferred to the homicide section of the SCID for investigation. It is a case of murder, not theft. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is necessary. The outcome will be made public as soon as it is concluded.”

The deceased’s wife, Esther, has called for an investigation into her husband’s suspicious death.

Speaking to our correspondent last Tuesday, the nursing mother said she grew concerned when she woke up around 5 am and discovered that he had not returned from work.
She said, “My husband went to work on Sunday, 28 July.

While at work in the early hours of Monday, 29 July 2024, he called me on a video call at about 1:30 am. It is his usual practice to video call me if he is delayed in returning home.

He later rushed home at 2:30 am and told me his boss had asked him to bring ‘something’ back to work. He then left and returned to work around 2:30 am, saying he would be back soon. When it was about 5 am, I woke up and realised he had not returned. I started calling his phone but could not reach him.”

She later claimed to have contacted the supervisor at the facility, who assured her that everything was under control and ended the call. Esther added that Mr. Valentine later called her to come to the hospital.

“Several attempts to reach the supervisor to find out what happened to my husband were unsuccessful as she no longer answered her calls. Later that morning, around 6 am, I received a call from Mr. Valentine, who told me to come to Favour Hospital, Afasho, Edo State. I asked him if there was a problem, but he assured me that all was well with my husband. Since I am a nursing mother, my elder sister went to the hospital on my behalf.”

Esther said that upon arriving at the hospital, her sister found her husband’s body in Mr. Valentine’s car.

She added that the hospital later informed her that her husband’s corpse was rejected because it was brought in dead.

She also noted that she and her sister observed strange marks and injuries on the deceased’s body, which may have been a result of torture and pain inflicted before his death.

In a petition titled “Request for Investigation into the Death of Mr. Fidelis Osaghae on 29 July 2024 in Edo State,” filed by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation on behalf of the deceased’s wife, the Inspector-General of Police is urged to investigate her husband’s death.

Signed by the Executive Director, Akin Fadeyi, the foundation alleged that the local police division in Auchi has shown a lack of willingness to investigate the matter thoroughly and has already exonerated Mr. Valentine, who is reportedly an influential person in the area.

“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death are suspicious, and we strongly believe that he was in the custody of Mr. Oyemike Valentine until his death.

“We are unable to place our confidence in the investigation by the Auchi division due to concerns of interference and compromise,” the petition partly read.

The foundation also claimed that the police have failed to take necessary actions to address the suspicious homicide, raising concerns of police complicity and cover-up.

“We acknowledge the presumption of innocence until proven guilty before the law in Nigeria. However, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death demand a thorough investigation,” said Fadeyi.

He added that the IGP has acknowledged receipt of the petition and is expected to order a swift and comprehensive investigation into the matter.

When contacted, Valentine declined to comment, stating that he had been invited by the police.

He said, “I cannot make any comment. I have been invited by the police, and that is where I am going now. Thanks.”