Two years after the death of an Air Force cadet in Umuahia, the father of the deceased has accused security authorities of deliberately stalling investigations despite forensic evidence suggesting foul play.
Ephraim Onyeomereneche, father of late cadet Emmanuel Onyeomereneche, said the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force have maintained what he described as a “golden silence” over the case.
Emmanuel was reportedly found dead on April 9, 2024, in a swimming pool at Hotel Royale Damgrate, with initial reports suggesting he drowned.
However, an autopsy conducted on August 18, 2024, by a team led by Prof. M.A. Nnoli ruled out drowning and poisoning, attributing the cause of death to intracranial haematoma, skull fracture and soft tissue injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.
Despite the findings, the bereaved father lamented that no suspect has been prosecuted nearly two years after the incident.
He accused the military, including the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu and Defence Headquarters, of abandoning the case despite assurances from the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, that justice would be served.
“It is surprising, painful, and unfortunate that the military is still conducting an investigation into the murder, despite the autopsy report and findings of clear, conclusive evidence of murder,” he said.
He questioned whether authorities were shielding individuals connected to the case, adding that in a functional system, justice should have been swift.
Onyeomereneche also criticised the perceived silence of Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, noting that the incident occurred close to the Government House in Umuahia.
“The pain and agony of the injustice… is excruciating,” he said.
Efforts to get official responses from the military authorities and the Abia State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The case continues to raise concerns about accountability and the pace of criminal investigations involving security institutions in Nigeria.
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