Nigeria has asked South African authorities to investigate the death of Chimezie Odueze in Cape Town and bring anyone responsible to justice.
The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg said Odueze died on October 9 in the Parklands area after allegedly being tortured by officers of the South African Police Service.
Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13. The allegations against the officers are the consulate’s account of the incident.
According to the consulate, Odueze was arrested at a shopping centre on suspicion of possessing drugs and taken to his home for a search. The mission said no drugs were found there, but alleged that officers tortured him, resulting in his death.
Okey-Uche said accusations of criminal conduct must be handled through legal procedures, with suspects given a fair hearing in court. She warned against stereotyping Nigerians and called for a thorough investigation.
“No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice,” she said in the statement quoted by Premium Times.
The call follows earlier consular demands for investigations into the deaths of three Nigerians in separate September incidents, as reported here.
The consulate urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious. It offered condolences to Odueze’s family and said it would continue pressing for Nigerians’ welfare and fair treatment.
Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post
Something we should clarify?
Contact the newsroom
