Family petitions IGP over engineer’s missing corpse in Anambra hospital

File Photo: Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The family of Chukwunweike Okammelu, an engineer whose corpse allegedly disappeared from the mortuary of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Anambra State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, seeking further investigation into the incident.

The family’s lawyer, Joseph Offor, requested in a letter to the IG, with a copy sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

The family had reported the disappearance to the police and expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital management’s handling of the incident.

In the petition, Offor said the matter was referred to the IG, who subsequently assigned the Intelligence Response Team to investigate.

He said although the investigation had been concluded and a report issued, his client identified material omissions, inconsistencies and gaps that undermined the completeness and credibility of the findings.

According to him, the report acknowledged possible criminal conspiracy and systemic failures but recommended the prosecution of only the mortician, Mr Clement Ogbonna.

Offor also alleged that the report identified administrative and operational negligence without adequately investigating all those who might bear criminal responsibility.

He said critical issues, including the chain of custody of the corpse, the roles of other suspects, institutional responsibility and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, remained unresolved.

“Our client has accordingly prepared a detailed analysis identifying these gaps and respectfully demonstrating why he believes the investigation requires further review,” he said.

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Offor urged the IG to order a supplementary investigation, with particular attention to the issues raised in the accompanying memorandum.

“Our client firmly believes that a thorough and comprehensive investigation will ensure that the truth is fully uncovered and that justice is done to all parties without fear or favour,” he added.

However, the Anambra State Police Command said it was not investigating the case, adding that the matter was before the investigating team in Abuja.

The command’s spokesman, Ikenganyia Anthony, said, “The command is not investigating any case like that. Everything concerning the case is before the investigating team in Abuja.”

The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Maureen Umeakuewulu, said the incident predated her assumption of office on March 13.

She said the case, which reportedly occurred in January, had been investigated by the police and moved between investigation units.

“To the best of my knowledge, it is with the police, and they are handling it. I don’t know specifically; maybe they are preparing to charge to court,” she said.

The CMD, however, said she could not confirm whether the case had been charged to court, adding that she was not in a position to provide further details because the incident occurred before her tenure.