Assistant Superintendent Apata Oluwaseun Odunayo and Inspector Ogbuji Titu Tochukwu of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been charged with the murder of a fellow officer, Inspector Abel Isah Dickson.
According to Abdulrasheed Bawa, Executive Chairman of the EFCC, the incident occurred when the trio disagreed on the procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention.
Bawa told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the disagreement between the officials escalated into a physical fight, which resulted in Inspector Dickson’s death.
“Gentlemen of the press, we have invited you this morning to brief you on an unfortunate incident that occurred at our Sokoto Zonal,” he said.
Command, which is suspected of leading to the death of one of our young officers, EFCC Inspector Abel Isah Dickson.
“The officer died on May 7, 2023, at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained two days earlier in a scuffle with two other EFCC personnel: Assistant Superintendent of EFCC, Apata Oluwaseun Odunayo, and Inspector of EFCC, Ogbuji Titu Tochukwu.”
“They had disagreed over procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention, which resulted in a fight, which the Commission condemns.”
“The Commission suspended the two officers with whom he had a disagreement and turned them over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.”
Prosecution is a possibility.
“According to the most recent information, a two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrate Court in Gwiwa, Sokoto. Both offenses are punishable under Sections 60 and 191 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Low, 2019.”
He went on to say that not only had the incident been reported to police, and the two officials involved been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution, but that the suspects had also been suspended from the Commission pending the outcome of the investigation.
“They will face additional disciplinary measures in accordance with the Commission’s staff regulation, without prejudice to the Police investigation.”
Wilson Uwujaren, representing the EFCC Chairman, expressed his condolences to the family.
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