Detained phone thief died after fighting for cell leadership – Witness

The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Wednesday in Abuja heard the testimony of Inspector Edwin Ekeinde on how Ogaga Ohore and members of his gang allegedly robbed one Sunday Adache of his Tecno phone and other valuables.

According to him, Ohore later died at the Abuja University Teaching hospital Gwagwalada, in the custody of police, following a fight he had with other inmates in his cell because he wanted to be the president of the cell where he was detained.

Ekeinde recounted before Dr Garba Tetengi (SAN), representing the chairman of the panel, that on December 6, 2019, one Pastor Daniel Adache reported on behalf of his son Sunday Adache, a case of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery by some unidentified men, in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

He said a team from the Federal Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team tracked the stolen phone.

He said, “On January 13, 2020, the stolen phone was traced to one Destiny Temitope, who was arrested and he led the operatives to the person he bought the phone from, one Joshua Auta.

“The same day, Joshua Auta was interrogated, and he led the police to Ogaga Ohore.”

He said Ohore was arrested and taken to FIB-IRT office where he confessed to the theft of the phone.

Ekeinde said, “On March 23, 2020, I received a call from the cell where he was being held that Ohore was sick.

“I took Ohore to the police hospital in Area 1, Garki, where he was treated and brought him back to cell.

“Ohore told me in confidence that there was a dispute between him and other older inmates. Ohore wanted to impose himself as the president within the cell. This led to a fight between him and the inmates, which led to him being sick.

“Two days later, I was informed that he has fallen sick again.

“He was taken to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, where he died after some hours.

After his testimony, lead Counsel for the panel, Chino Obiagwu, pleaded that the case be adjourned for complainant’s counsel, Elum Wisdom, who was absent, to cross-examine Ekeinde.

Source: Punch