FAMILY DEMANDS POLICE PROBE INTO MAN’S DEATH IN OSUN CELL

Read Time:2 Minute, 48 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

The family of Taofiki Mustapha, who reportedly died in the custody of the Agbeye Police Post in Osun State, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI Command, Osogbo, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Mustapha was reportedly arrested over an allegation that he stole cocoa pods and handed over to the police after being apprehended by members of the Agbeye community. He was subsequently found dead in the police cell the following morning.

The family’s demand was contained in a petition submitted to the Zone XI Command by law firm L.S. Bello & Co. on behalf of Madam Nafisat Taofiki, Oba Aree Ogboni-Abdul Wahab Oriade and Are Ogboni Kwara Awoyemi Elegbede. A copy of the petition was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.

In the petition, the family called for an investigation into the alleged roles of the Agbeye Police Post, Mr Mufu Jimoh, Wasiu Egbebi, Taye Olaoye, Chief Ajasa and the Kabiyesi of Agbeye in the incident.

The petition alleged that Mustapha was accused of stealing 13 cocoa pods and beaten before the traditional ruler directed that he be taken to the police post.

It read in part, “That Taofiki Mustapha was alleged to have stolen 13 cocoa pods, and the above-named people beat the said Taofiki Mustapha, and the Kabiyesi Alagbeye of Agbeye directed that Taofiki Mustapha be taken to the police post after the beating.

“That, our clients state further that Taofiki Mustapha died inside the cell of Police Post Agbeye.

“Our clients state that investigation is yet to confirm that the deceased truly stole the cocoa pods.”

The family also questioned the circumstances under which Mustapha was detained and died, calling for a thorough investigation to establish responsibility.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said members of the community had apprehended Mustapha over the alleged theft before taking him to the traditional ruler, who instructed that he be handed over to the police.

Providing an update on the investigation, the Zone XI Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Ojedele, said two suspects, including the traditional ruler, had been invited for questioning and had made statements before being released.

“Two suspects, Kabiyesi and one other person, have been invited, and they wrote statements on the issue. They were released thereafter,” Ojedele said.

He added that the police were awaiting the result of a postmortem examination to establish further facts about the death.

According to Ojedele, Mustapha was accused of stealing cocoa pods on Monday, October 5, and was allegedly beaten and paraded around the community half-naked before being handed over to the police.

“On Monday, October 5, he was accused of stealing cocoa pods. He was beaten and paraded around the Agbeye community half-naked, and he was filmed half-naked,” he said.

Ojedele said a man was instructed to take Mustapha to the Agbeye Police Post, where an officer on duty received him.

“Unfortunately, the accused was found dead the following morning under suspicious circumstances,” he added.

The police spokesman said Mustapha’s body had been deposited at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where a postmortem examination had been conducted. The result was still being awaited.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Mustapha’s death and determine whether anyone bears responsibility.