Attorney Ohemu Boni, based in Lagos, has submitted a formal request to the National Assembly regarding the suspicious passing of Inspector Sunday Peter.
Inspector Peter, a member of the ‘Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos Police Command, was tragically killed.
In a written communication directed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Barrister Boni conveyed the dissatisfaction of the deceased’s family with the conduct of the Inspector’s colleagues and called for a comprehensive inquiry to determine the true circumstances surrounding Peter’s death.
The petition was delivered to the offices of the Senate President and Speaker on Friday, and copies were also sent to the Chairmen of the Committee on Public Petitions in both legislative chambers.
“On the 16th of May, 2024, the late Inspector Sunday Peters was on a routine patrol with his team along Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos State, and was in good health,”the petition stated.
“Our client, Mr. John Peter, the late officer’s brother, was notified of his brother’s death via phone at 7am on the morning of May 17, 2024. Despite his inquiries, no information was provided regarding the cause of death.
“After arriving at the RRS office, he was informed that his brother’s body had been taken to the morgue in Yaba, Lagos. Numerous attempts to view the body were unsuccessful until the RRS Commander granted him permission to do so.
“It is worth noting that the only official information provided to him at the RRS Office was that his late brother had complained of feeling unwell to his colleagues, was taken to the Police Hospital in Falomo, Lagos, and walked to the hospital himself before succumbing to death,”the petition continued.
The Attorney suspected foul play in the circumstances surrounding the Inspector’s demise and the handling of his body by colleagues prior to informing the family.
He alleged that Inspector Peter was already deceased before being taken to the hospital and, contrary to the Police’s claim of illness, a discreet examination at the morgue indicated foul play.
Barrister Boni stated, “Upon reviewing his late brother’s body, our client observed bruises, cuts, and blood, suggesting that his colleagues possess additional information regarding the cause of the Inspector’s death. Attached are photographs of the late officer provided by our client.
“Given the aforementioned facts, the entire family of Peter Ogoyi, as well as the deceased’s immediate family, are reeling from the mysterious passing of Inspector Sunday Peter, causing them immense suffering, especially the elderly father.”
The petitioner beseeched the Honorable House and the Senate to intervene in the matter and direct the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation and perform an autopsy on the deceased to determine the true cause of death.
Meanwhile, a source close to the family disclosed that the Lagos State Police authority was in clandestine discussions with the deceased’s wife, also a Police officer from Edo State, to hastily bury Inspector Peter in his hometown of Otukpa, Benue State, next week; a decision opposed by the family.
“The Commissioner of Police has issued directives, and posters have been printed, with burial arrangements underway to expedite the burial of our brother, contrary to our wishes.
“Given that the deceased’s wife is not from our community and is a Police officer, they are attempting to persuade her to allow them to bury her husband hastily.
“We are from Otukpa, we are Idomas, and our customs mandate that we ascertain the cause of our brother’s death before proceeding with burial, to prevent further tragedies. We will not permit this. The Police must disclose the circumstances surrounding our breadwinner’s death. We will not stand for it,”the source emphasized.
