Police are being questioned by the family of man that died in detention

The family of a man who died while in police detention, are asking for answers from the police. The man was identified as Godwin Chukwudi Julius Akano.

The late 48 year old Julius was an importer of goods from Europe. He was arrested on May 22 for alleged complicity in a case of fraud with one Obinali Osunwoke.

He was arrested alongside his wife, Ogochukwu, but she was later released in the evening of the same day.

Julius died in police custody on Saturday June 6. His family are now asking for an explanation from the State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department, SCIID, Panti.

The spokesman for the family, Mr Nnamdi Akano, said the late Julius, despite obvious signs of serious illness and complaints, was denied medical help until it was too late.

Akano said:

“He ought to have been given or allowed medical help and then face whatever charges the police have against him.

He was an importer, a breadwinner for his family with a wife and four children that are now left to bemoan the crude fate that befell them and a future without their beloved father.”

Obinali Osunwoke, who was in custody with Julius and watched the ill-fated drama unfold, said:

“I was arrested a day after my brother, Julius, and I was with him throughout his detention until he died.

I was picked up on Saturday, May 23. From the first day, we were arrested and our people came to bail us, the police refused to grant us bail. The case was directly under ASP Oketunji.

My people went and requested bail for us while the police continued with their investigations.

He refused, so they approached Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Longe, who is the head of Panti Unit.

When they met the woman, she said she could not do anything and that the police should be allowed to do their work. That was how we were detained.”