There was palpable tension yesterday inside the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) premises at Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos, when the family of late Captain Felix Aiyenumelo stormed the office complex of a food processing company protesting the controversial death of the man.
The atmosphere became tense when the corpse was brought from the ocean as the officials wanted to take it straight to the morgue without allowing the family to see it.
This action angered family members who vowed to do anything within their powers to have a glimpse of the corpse and even examine it.
While the argument raged, the policemen on ground were said to have attempted to fire some shots in readiness to maintain peace.
However, Captain Aiyenumelo’s son and some of the deceased’s close relations reportedly accused the police and other port officials of a carefully planned cover up judging from their vehement refusal to allow family members have a glimpse of the corpse.
The aggrieved family members threatened to foment trouble should the officials not shift grounds. The deceased Captain, Daily Sun gathered died on Wednesday, October 22, but the family members said they got the rumour of his death on Friday, October 24, and that the company did not deem it fit to inform them promptly.
Commenting on the development, the late Captain’s younger sister, Mrs. Margaret Omosuyi said; “Even up to the time they brought the corpse from the ocean (on Sunday, October 26) they did not tell us. They wanted to take the corpse to the mortuary so that their wicked act will not be exposed.
“They said the man tied ship block around his neck and jumped into the ocean while they were sailing on the Atlantic Ocean and died. The man who is about 60 years old and a captain for that matter, who has been working with the company for over 20 years. You can see.”
After the uproar, the corpse was brought out from the Ship christened ORC IV wrapped with a dirty tarpaulin, tied with ropes and laid down with fresh blood flowing out freely from it. This, however, made the family to smell a rat, saying all the men on board with him on board the ship that brought him, must be arrested and detained for prosecution.
The family also demanded for a autopsy report to know the actual cause of the death, even as they alleged that the man was killed and thus demanded justice. The Investigation Police Officer (IPO), from the Marine Police headquarters, Awolowo Road, Onikan Lagos, Corporal Ameh, has since arrested 10 people onboard who are the prime suspects.
They have been reportedly led to the Marine Police Office of the force.
Efforts to get the company’s response on the weighty allegation of a possible cover up proved abortive as the officials say they cannot comment on the development.
Source : SunOnline