Emmanuel Babalola, whose daughter, Itunu, died in a prison in Cote d’Ivoire, has urged the Federal Government to unravel the mystery behind her death.
Itunu was incarcerated after a case of burglary she reported to the police in the West African country was turned against her.
The 24-year-old, who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment over trumped-up charges, died on November 14, 2021, after two years in jail.
She was buried in Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 4.
Her father, at a briefing in Lagos convened by the Chairperson of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Tuesday, said he was convinced his daughter was killed.
He said the autopsy report of his daughter released by Cote d’ Ivoire was questionable, urging the Federal Government and other Nigerians to help him get justice.
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“She always complained that the torture in the prison was much, and I promised her she would soon leave there. I did not know that she would die there. The autopsy they brought for my daughter, I showed it to a doctor and he said what they wrote there was not something that could happen to her in a day and kill her the following day.
“I don’t know what to do; I want Nigerians to help me. I want the Minister of Foreign Affairs to intervene; I want the House of Representatives to intervene. This is too much for me; she was the only daughter,” Babalola said.
Dabiri-Erewa said the Minister of Foreign Affairs would take steps to get justice for the family.
She said, “We are not God, but there are questions that must be answered. The police officer involved in this matter has been reported to INTERPOL, and we are not going to relent. That police officer must be questioned.
“The autopsy report itself said she died of sepsis complicated by acute respiratory distress; that is not acceptable. We should not just allow this matter go like that; we need to demand justice. Everything had been done to get her out of prison and we were sure she would be released. Even the prosecutors said she was not guilty of the charges. How come she died just like that?”
Dabiri-Erewa said some group of lawyers had indicated willingness to take the matter up with the ECOWAS court to seek justice for Itunu.
