BAYELSA YOUTH DEATH: Autopsy Absolves Police Of Complicity … Family Demands for Corpse
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The Bayelsa State Government has received the report of the panel set up last month to unravel the cause of the death of one, Mr Samuel Okoba from Ovom Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The report which was presented to the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in Government House, Yenagoa on Thursday, April 22nd, by Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, Vice Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University and Chairman of the Panel.
Prof. Etebu revealed that the autopsy carried out on Samuel’s body indicated that the 17-year-old youth died as a result of bleeding from a cut on one of the major arteries on his neck.
The report stressed that the injury was not connected with gunshot, thereby absolving the police of complicity in the death of Mr Okoba, which is contrary to earlier speculations.
He explained that the process was transparent as representatives comprising the deceased’s family, Ovom community and human rights organizations were present to witness all aspects of the autopsy.
The incident was said to have occurred on March 18, 2021.
Responding, the State Deputy Governor, Sen. Ewhrudjakpo, expressed sadness over the unfortunate passing away of young Okoba, stressing that government deliberately insisted on the involvement of all parties for truth and justice to prevail.
The Deputy Governor, who appreciated the Okoba family and Ovom Community for their show of what he described as rational understanding, promised that government would look into their requests including the release of the corpse for burial.
On complaints of insecurity in the Ovom area of Yenagoa metropolis, he assured that government would take a holistic look at it and proffer solutions.
Also speaking, the Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 at the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon Oboku Oforji, also thanked the Okoba family for accepting the report of the panel.
While condemning incessant harassment of innocent people in the community by security operatives, he
advised youths in the State to desist from cultism and drug abuse.
In their individual reaction, the representative of Okoba Family, Mr James Okoba and a Leader of Ovom Community, Chief Loveday Abaribote expressed satisfaction with the level of transparency and diligence employed in the process of Investigation.
According to them; “We were among the parties that witnessed the whole process of the autopsy, which lasted for more than three hours.”
While announcing his family’s acceptance of the panel’s report, Mr Jacob Okoba, however, appealed to government for the release of the remains of the deceased for burial as part of measures to assuage their grief and pain.
