Olatunji Jimoh, 35, passed away in police custody in Ilorin, Kwara State, almost a month ago. His family has demanded that the police authorities immediately release the results of the autopsy that was performed on him.
In addition, Mr. Owolabi Tayo, the convener of justice for Olatunji Jimoh, requested that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) bring charges against individuals responsible for Jimoh’s alleged murder at a news conference in Ilorin on Friday.
Jimoh was arrested and jailed for owing one Gabriel Sunday N220,000, and on December 22, 2024, IREPORT247NEW announced that he had died in police detention in Ilorin.
During the press conference, Owolabi claimed that while the autopsy results were purportedly given to the Nigeria Police two weeks earlier, the deceased’s family had not been given a copy.
“They have been telling one lie after another, directing us to the doctor, who then directed us back to them. They fully know that the results do not in any way indicate that the late Olatunji hanged himself,” he said.
The Balogun Fulani community and the deceased’s family also urged state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to step in “as a father and as the chief security officer of the state.” They also stated that a letter has been sent to Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin, requesting his intervention.
“We are calling on the National Assembly to help investigate and look wholistically on this case to help in this horrible, terrible and inhuman situation. Because if we leave them without being punished, I am afraid, Nigeria is sleeping on a time bomb which will soon explode in the hands of some unprofessional Nigeria Police officers,” he said.
According to the family, Jimoh Olatunji leaves behind two children and elderly parents who are currently undergoing treatment at the state’s General Hospital.
“As we speak, the family is mourning, in pain and traumatized, leaving them to face their fate. How long shall we allow innocent citizens to suffer in the hands of unprofessional policemen, who don’t care about citizens but rather extort, brutalize and ill-treat them?” the convener added.