5th May, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Mrs. Funke Olaitan, wife of Olaitan Oyerinde, slain Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, has urged civil activists in the state to prevail on the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, to release documents relating to her husband’s property.
She also called on Nigeria’s president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to help fish out the killers of her husband.
Funke who spoke at the 3rd remembrance anniversary lecture held in honour of the former labour leader, alleged that Ugolor was still holding on to documents of her husband’s properties.
“I am not saying Ugolor is the killer; God knows the killer. But Ugolor should release my husband’s document. He is still holding it.
“If he knows that he loves himself, he should release my husband’s document. I have lodged complaints; I have told the governor but nothing has been done about it. I know that my husband has a property in GRA but Ugolor has not given me any reason for not releasing the documents in his possession,” she alleged.
It would be recalled that Ugolor who dropped late Olaitan at home the night Olaitan was killed, was also the person that took him to the hospital after he was attacked, he then became one of the principal suspects arrested and charged to court in connection with the murder of Olaitan.
But an Edo State High Court later awarded N5m to Ugolor against the Nigerian Police for unlawful arrest and detention, after failing to prove Ugolor’s involvement in the murder.
It would be further recalled that while the police in Benin was parading Ugolor and others as killers of Olaitan, the DSS in Abuja also paraded other suspects simultaneously, making a mess of claims by the police in Benin.
Responding to the allegation, Ugolor who spoke on telephone from London, United Kingdom, denied being in possession of documents relating to landed property belonging to the late Olaitan Oyerinde, adding that, ownership of the said property has never been in dispute.
Ugolor who alleged that Olaitan’s wife has not contacted him since the death of her husband, disclosed that the only document relating to his late friend in his possession was where he wrote personal expenses on the building that was not refunded because of Olaitan death.
“My friend is dead. Will I go and ask him to refund my money. The house is there. The person that sold the building is still alive. I did not say the property is mine. Funke knows the place. She has not asked me about it,” Ugolor said.
Earlier while delivering the anniversary lecture, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, said the vision of Olaitan for a better Nigeria must be realised and never allowed to die with the slain activist.
Funke while calling on Buhari to assist in fishing out of the killers of her husband, said she was tired of excuses from the DSS and the police over the killing.
Her speech brought tears to many faces as she recalled how her son cried for three days asking for the father.
“This is injustice to my family and especially to my son. He needs justice. In Nigeria, when a minister’s son is affected or kidnaped, they will fish out the killers. Why is Olaitan’s own different. We need justice.
“It is good to have husband and wife live together. I have been living in sorrow. It has not been easy. My husband considers people before his own. He cares for people,” she lamented.