One of the suspected masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja, Tiemkenfa Francis Osvwo (alias General Gbokos), died in the Kuje Prison yesterday.
A statement by his lawyer in the case, Federal
Republic of Nigeria v. Charles Okah & others, Mr. Festus Keyamo,
alleged that Osvwo was murdered by the authorities.
Keyamo claimed that Osvwo’s death came on the heels
of a series of complaints by the counsel representing him and his
co-accused about the maltreatment meted out to the accused persons in
prison.
“The sickness leading to the death of Tiemkenfa
Francis Osvwo started when their cell was fumigated with a strange
substance on the January 8, 2012, which affected the health of all the
four suspects. Suffice it to reiterate that we, their solicitors raised
the alarm about that development at the time.
“Prior to his death in custody, Gbokos had been
urinating and defecating on himself in the prison and despite pleas by
his solicitors requesting that he be treated properly, no one attended
to him.
 |
| Festus Keyamo |
“On February 21, 2012, Osvwo collapsed in court which
stalled hearing for that day but despite the order of the court that
Osvwo should be medically attended to by the prisons authorities, no
medication was administered on him. It was obvious therefore that the
authorities wanted him dead,” Keyamo’s statement read.
Comparing the plight of his clients with that of
suspects linked to Boko Haram bombings, some of whom are on bail, Keyamo
said it was unfair that his clients were being maltreated in prison,
when they were still supposed to be presumed innocent according to the
law.
“At this juncture, we are constrained to state that
we find it extremely inequitable that virtually all the suspects linked
to the Boko Haram bombings have been enjoying bail while our clients,
the alleged masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bombings (still presumed
innocent) continue to suffer indignities in custody.
“We therefore, respectfully, call on all well-meaning
Nigerians to join in the call for their bail and the Nigerian
government to facilitate the release of the other suspects in custody
with a view to attending to their deteriorating health before they die
in custody,” the lawyer said.
According to Keyamo, other accused persons in the October 1, 2010
bombing still in Kuje Prisons are facing similar conditions that claimed
Osvwo’s life.Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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