Esther Fidelix Osaghae, a 30-year-old nursing mother, has asked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, to come to her aid and investigate the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death at his workplace in Edo state.

Remember that on Monday, July 29, 2024, in the wee hours of the morning, 33-year-old Fidelix Osaghae passed away at his place of employment, Opposite M Mechanic Site Angle 90, Auchi, Edo State, from circumstances that are still unknown. Fidelix had just returned from picking up something at home.

In an interview with ipledge2nigeria.net webteam, Esther Fidelix Osaghae stated: “My spouse is employed at Valchi Fast Food, a restaurant and bar located next to M Mechanic Site Angie 90 in Auchi, Edo State.

In her account of that fateful day, Esther said, “My husband left the house on July 28 and went to work on July 29 at around 1 PM. He usually calls me on a video call when he is working late, and he did so at around 1:30 am. He rushed home around 2:30 a.m., claiming his boss had asked him to pick up something. He left immediately for the office, saying he would be back soon. I fell asleep around 3 a.m., but when I awoke at 5 a.m., I discovered he had not returned yet. I started calling my husband; I called him several times, but he did not answer. So, I contacted his workplace supervisor, Tracy.

Fortunately, Tracy answered her call; I informed her that I had been calling my husband but he was not answering after he left the house for work at 2.30 a.m. I asked her why is he not picking his calls? Tracy said, “Do not worry, Madam; everything is under control.” I asked, “What is under control?” What are you talking about? She said, “Do not worry, everything is under control,” and hung up the phone. But when I called again, no one answered.”

After an hour of endless waiting and confusion, and being unable to reach her husband, Esther stated that the owner of VaLchi Fast Food, Mr Valentine Oyemike, called and asked her to come to Favour Hospital in Afasho, Edo State.

According to her, “My phone rang around 6 a.m., and it was my husband’s boss Valentine Oyemike calling. He asked, “Are you Fidelix Osaghae’s wife?” I said yes. He said they were on their way to the hospital. I asked him what was going on and why they were heading to the hospital. Where exactly is my husband? I inquired if anything was wrong with my husband. He said no, assuring me that everything was fine, but directed me to Favour Hospital in Afasho, Edo State.

As I prepared to leave, my elder sister Omolara asked me to stay because my baby is too young to be taken to the hospital. She went instead.

Omolara hurried to the hospital, expecting to find her brother-in-law, Fidelis Osagahe, probably recieving treatment. Instead, she was horrified to find his lifeless body in the backseat of a parked car on hospital premises.

Giving ipledge2nigeria.net webteam a detailed account of what she witnessed at the hospital Esther’s sister Omolara said, “When I met my sister husband’s boss at the hospital, I asked after Fidelix.” He pointed to his car, when I got close I saw the lifeless body of my sister’s husband at the back sit of Mr Valentine car. I was asking what happened, I didn’t get any response. So I went further to examine his body, I saw dark patches on his upper chest to his neck region, something like hot Iron burns, there were bruise all over his body and his trousers were torn. A lot of this is not adding up.

“It was at the hospital I found out that they hospital management refused his boss from dropping his corpse there because apparently, he was brought in dead, Omolara added.

We were still at the hospital when the police from Auchi division arrived at the hospital and said they would take over the case.

Lamenting, Esther Fidelix Osaghae after the police took over the case nothing has been done, nobody has been arrested. The police is more concerned about discouraging us from seeking proper investigations. All we need is answers; unfortunately the police is doing all they can to dissuade us from demanding for autopsy and trying to cover up the case.

Calling on the Inspector General of Police to take over this matter and bring it to a just conclusion Akin Fadeyi The Executive Director of Akin Fadeyi foundation on behave of the deceased family said effort to get the police to conduct proper investigation has been unfruitful. According to him, the DPO of the Auchi division, Edo State has not demonstrated any willingness to take necessary actions toward addressing the matter of this suspicious homicide.

The police were also quick to draw conclusions, exonerating Mr. Valentine of any involvement in Mr. Fidelix’ death. We believe in the Nigerian police’s ability to secure justice for Mrs. Esther and are willing to provide the necessary assistance.

When ipledge2nigeria.net webteam called Valentine Oyemike, he said the case is under police investigation and he would not comment.

The case has been moved to the state Criminal Investigation Department for additional investigation, according to Moses Joel Yamu, the spokeswoman for the Edo State Police Command Superintendent of Police (SP), who was contacted. As soon as the investigation is finished, the results will be made public.