Juliana Francis
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today 16th of May, described in detail how one of their staff, Inspector Abel Isah Dickson died after engaging in a fight with two other officials of the Commission.
The deceased was attached to the Sokoto Zonal Command before his untimely death. He died on May 7th, 2023 at the Usmanu DanFodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto where he was receiving treatment for injuries he sustained, two days earlier, in a scuffle with two other staff, Assistant Superintendent of EFCC, Apata Oluwaseun Odunayo and Inspector of EFCC, Ogbuji Titu Tochukwu.
Briefing journalists today, the EFCC said: “They had disagreed over procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention, leading to a fight, a conduct which the Commission frowns at.”
Securitynewsalert.com learned that trouble started after the deceased came to take over duty and discovered on checking register where items collected from detainees were documented, that items on the ground did not tally with what was documented. He had observed that the suspect’s medication was missing, and money recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest was also not complete.
Abel Isah Dickson had refused to take over duty, insisting that the items must be accounted for and when he was further instructed to do his work by Apata Oluwaseun Odunayo and Inspector of EFCC, Ogbuji Titu Tochukwu, who were his seniors, he had remained adamant.
The matter soon turned into a shouting match and soon snowballed into a physical fight, leading to injuries.
The EFCC stated: “The two officers with whom he had a disagreement have been suspended by the Commission and handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“The latest information is that a two-count holding charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrate Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto. Both offences are punishable under Sections 60 and 191 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019.
“Without prejudice to the Police investigation, they will, in addition, face further disciplinary measures in line with the Commission’s staff regulation.”
The EFCC further noted that the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was saddened by the incident, and had extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He had, in addition, assured that the Commission will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those implicated in the death of the officer are brought to justice.
He equally warned staff of the Commission to ensure that their conduct at all times is moderated by the established code of behaviour as no act of indiscipline would be tolerated.
The remains of the late officer were interred on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Jos, Plateau State.
