Juliana Francis
The distraught family of late Mr. Chikere Obieshi, fondly called JB, killed by a Police Inspector identified as Mohammed Useni, during a birthday party in the Egbeda area of Lagos State on Sunday night, has demanded justice.
Representatives of the family on Wednesday at a press conference held in front of the deceased’s shop at Computer Village, Ikeja, said only justice would compensate and fill the void the death of their son had caused.
The family explained that the late JB, who was a businessman, dealing with phones, was invited by his friend, Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu aka Asiwaju, who was also the birthday celebrant.
It was at the party that Sunday night that Inspector Useni, opened fire on the birthday guests, killing two and causing them to be admitted to hospital, struggling to stay alive.
The family through, Anayo Chukwu Obieshi, told journalists that JB was only at the party for less than two hours when he was shot dead by the policeman while he was dancing and spraying money on the celebrant.
The grieving family called on the Police’s highest-ranking authority to ensure justice for JB.
Anayo said: “We are calling on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, to come to our aid so that the killer of our brother will not go unpunished.”
JB’s younger brother, Osigwe Stanley, weeping, said in a broken voice: “All the things he used to do in the house, who is going to do them? You that killed him, do you want to take his place? Now that you’ve killed my elder brother, what do you want to do with his dead body? Come and take his responsibilities now, if you can take half of his responsibilities. We need justice and I am calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, honourable governor, Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Ararume to investigate this issue to help us to get justice.”
The Lagos State Police Command has earlier explained that the shooting, which caused the death of JB and another guest, was accidental, stressing that the shooter, Useni, was an off-duty police officer, serving at the State Headquarters, Ikeja.
The Command had further demanded that the Inspector, who is nowhere to be found, should turn himself in soonest. The Command also revealed that it had launched a manhunt for the fleeing Uchendu.
