Edo Assembly moves to probe killing of UNIBEN student

University of Benin Student Protest for Justice

THE Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, said it would set up an independent panel of enquiry to  investigate the death of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, student, Ibrahim Momodu, allegedly shot dead by the Divisional Police Officer of Ogida Police Station, Mrs. Carol Afegbai in May.

Speaker of the House, Mr Uyi Igbe, made the disclosure when he addressed protesting students of UNIBEN, bereaved family, and members of the civil society organisation led by the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor.

The protesters also stormed the palace of the Oba of Benin and the state Ministry of Justice, calling for a panel of Inquiry to investigate what they described as extra-judicial murder carried out by the police, who they claimed was being shielded by the police authorities.

However, Speaker Igbe assured that the leadership of the House would meet to deliberate on the matter, adding “the House Standing Committee on Security will constitute a separate panel of enquiry into the killing of the UNIBEN student. We are also considering a public hearing into the killing of the Principal Private Secretary to the state governor, the late  Olaitan Oyerinde.”

He asked the protesters to forward 30 copies of their petition to the House immediately to enable the House deliberate on the matter, adding “we are aware of the efforts made by the governor to set up a panel of inquiry into the killing and the different investigations by the police, but we are going to set up separate and independent investigative panel into the matter.”

Earlier, Rev.Ugolor appealed to the House to intervene in the matter by setting up an Independent panel into the killing of the UNIBEN student.