The lawyer representing the family of Joseph Okpe, a Lagos commercial bus driver allegedly beaten to death by officers of the Nigerian Air Force, has questioned the delay in the investigation of the incident, warning that prolonged silence could worsen the family’s pain and create suspicion of a cover-up.
Okpe, 43, was confirmed dead on May 9, a few hours after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of Air Force officers along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway following a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Ejodame said all personnel involved in the incident had been detained and that the family of the deceased had been visited.
He also stated that the case was under investigation by the appropriate civil and military authorities.
However, speaking during a telephone interview on Thursday, counsel to the family, Samuel Abu, expressed frustration over what he described as the slow pace of the investigation.
Abu said although he could not speak on the internal procedures of the Nigerian Air Force, it was difficult to understand why the investigation had not been concluded despite the resources and capacity available to the military.
“Even though I cannot speak to what is causing the delay, as I am not privy to their internal arrangement, it is still unbelievable that an agency as big and sophisticated as the Nigerian Air Force is taking so long to complete an investigation,” he said.
“Considering their capacity and influence, I do not think it should be difficult for them to resolve, given all the documentary evidence and eyewitness reports at their disposal.”
The lawyer alleged that there appeared to be attempts to frustrate efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for Okpe’s death.
According to him, repeated requests had been made to the police for the officers involved to be produced, but those efforts had allegedly not yielded the expected result.
“If you look at the police, I have repeatedly requested that those involved be produced, but it appears efforts are being made to prevent the police from doing their job,” Abu said.
He added that the circumstances surrounding the delay suggested a possible deliberate attempt to stall the investigation.
“When you consider everything together, it points to what appears to be a deliberate attempt to stall the investigation. I do not think anything is preventing them from acting.
“This is just my opinion, but it seems intentional, as though they are waiting to see whether the matter can be quietly covered up if the family does not continue to pursue it,” he said.
Abu maintained that the purpose of an investigation was to determine whether there was a case to answer, adding that available evidence should be sufficient for the authorities to take decisive steps.
“With all the resources at their disposal and documentary evidence and eyewitness reports that we have on good authority that the NAF has obtained, the delay is unjustifiable, and the NAF risks being perceived as not taking the matter seriously or trying to sweep it under the carpet,” he said.
He warned that such perception would not be good for the image of the Nigerian Air Force, which he described as a prestigious and dignified institution.
“None of which is good for the image of a prestigious and dignified agency like the Air Force. So we urge them to consider this and treat the matter with the urgency that it deserves,” Abu added.
The lawyer said Okpe’s death had left the family devastated, especially because he was the breadwinner.
“The incident has been life-changing for the family. It is sad that they are either not taking it seriously or are trying to sweep it under the carpet and move on.
“The family that has lost its breadwinner cannot simply move on from this. It is a tremendous loss — a loss that cannot be reversed,” he said.
The family is calling for a transparent, timely and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding Okpe’s death, as well as accountability for all officers found culpable.
