The Nigerian Senate has opened investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of one Shedrach Ochoche while in Police custody.
The Senate decision to unravel the mystery surrounding his death followed a petition by Senator, Abba Moro who currently represents Benue South.
Addressing journalists, Moro lamented how his constituent, Ochoche was arrested and eventually murdered by men of the Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Mabushi Police station in Abuja.
Ochoche had resigned from his job in a Chinese restaurant in Jabi after his employers owed his three months salary.
According to the lawmaker, five days after Ochoche resigned, the owner of the Chinese restaurant, made allegation against him that he(Ochoche) stole her missing car battery.
The Police subsequently arrested Ochoche, detained and tortured him severely for days.
Efforts by Ochoche’s family to have him released to them on bail were to no avail even when they had noticed and complained to the Police authorities that his health was deteriorating, their appeals fell on deaf ears.
“The police insisted that
Ochoche must pay for the missing batteries before he could be granted bail”,.
“As a matter of fact an eyewitness said that the commander of the operation, threatened that if Ochoche didn’t pay for the battery, he will kill him”.
“Subsequently on the 17th the family went back again only to be told that Ochoche had died.”
The family in the petition submitted by Senator Abba Moro to the Senate wants the Police to tell the world about what happened to their son, Ochoche and the circumstances that led this death in their custody.
The family demands justice and want those responsible for Ochoche’s death arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Senate referred the petition to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to revert back in four weeks.
Editor: Omor Bazuaye
