The family of Monday Joseph has called on the Ondo State Governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa and police authorities to investigate the death of one Monday Joseph who allegedly died in the custody of the state Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun.
The family, through their lawyer, Mr Ibukun Fasanmi, filed a petition to the governor and the Inspector General of Police, alleging that the deceased was detained at the facility of the Amotekun corps in Owo, Ondo State, where he was allegedly tortured to death.
The petition was made available to our correspondent on Tuesday.
The deceased’s family, called for an autopsy and prosecution of the Amotekun officer who allegedly perpetrated the dastardly act, noting that the deceased until the time of his death was the breadwinner of his family and a Nigerian citizen.
In the petition, the family said the remains of the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State.
The petition read in part, “We also crave that your Excellency use your good offices to investigate this matter because Ondo State Security Network Agency (codenamed Amotekun Corps) is a creation of the law and must be subject to other positive laws governing our lives and activities as citizens of Nigeria regardless of our origin. Your Excellency, nip this matter in the bud.
“The actions of the officer and his men, hitherto, is criminal and unconstitutional; and, if left unchecked by law enforcement agents, like the police, may cascade into a serious crisis that may be uncontrollable given the aggrieved friends, community members and lovers of Monday Joseph who are at the verge adopting self-help, which we strongly oppose.
“We hereby call for investigation, autopsy and prosecution of the untrained Amotekun Officer Lati and his men for the gruesome murder committed against Monday Joseph who until the time of his death was the breadwinner of his family and a Nigerian citizen.
“The gruesome murder and death of Monday Joseph is one too many that cannot be swept under the carpet or allowed to go uninvestigated and or punished. Ondo State Amotekun Corps is a creation of the law and its officer cannot be above the law or with demonic bravado take the life of a citizen without impunity thereby breaching the provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
But, the Commander of the Amotekun corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye denied the allegation, saying the deceased was not tortured as alleged.
Adeleye explained that the deceased was arrested by the corps for a cult-related offence but got ill while in detention and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away.
The Amotekun boss said, “Nobody tortured him (deceased). He was arrested for cult-related activities. He took ill while in detention. He was rushed to the hospital where he died.”