The family of late engineer, Chukwunweike Okammelu, whose corpse allegedly vanished from the mortuary of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka, has urged the Inspector-General of Police to order a fresh investigation into the incident.
Their request was contained in a petition dated July 6 and addressed to the IGP by the family’s counsel, Mr. Joseph Offor, on behalf of Chief Osita Okammelu.
The petition was also copied to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.
According to Offor, the family’s complaint was referred to the IGP and assigned to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for investigation.
He said the IRT has concluded its probe and issued a report, but noted that the family observed serious omissions, inconsistencies and gaps that cast doubt on the completeness and fairness of the findings.
Offor said the report acknowledged possible criminal conspiracy and systemic failures in the hospital, yet recommended prosecution of only the mortician, Mr. Clement Ogbonna.
He said the report also admitted that significant aspects of the investigation were still outstanding, but went ahead to recommend immediate prosecution.
The lawyer further argued that the investigation identified administrative and operational negligence in the hospital without properly probing or recommending action against other persons who may bear criminal responsibility.
He added that although investigators relied on financial records, call data records and other exhibits, they failed to make comprehensive findings from them.
According to him, critical issues such as the chain of custody of the corpse, the roles of other suspects, institutional liability and the circumstances of the alleged unlawful release and disappearance of the body remain unresolved.
Offor said the family had earlier reported the matter to the police and complained about the hospital management’s handling of the incident, accusing the management of relying on “spurious narratives and falsehoods” credited to the mortician.
“Our client has accordingly prepared a detailed analysis identifying these gaps and respectfully demonstrating why he believes the investigation requires further review,” he stated.
The family, therefore, urged the IGP to order a supplementary investigation focusing on issues raised in the accompanying memorandum, stressing that “a thorough and comprehensive investigation will ensure that truth is fully uncovered and that justice is done to all parties without fear or favour.”