By Tina Amanda
The family of 23-year-old Asher Christopher is raising concerns about possible foul play in the death of their son at the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) office on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Asher, a native of Akwa Ibom State, was a contract staff member at the NNPC Port Harcourt office.
His father, Christopher Dan, expressed shock and frustration in an interview with our Correspondent, revealing that over 24 hours after the incident, he is yet to see his son’s body.
Mr. Dan recounted the events leading up to the discovery of his son’s death and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
“On Tuesday at about 4:15 pm my son called me to say that a colleague of Asher Christopher called him and that he should come to Old GRA Police that the Police needed me, so I asked what happened, and my son said he did not know.
“When i got there, I asked where is Asher, they searched, but they did not see my son’s name on the list at the Police station. I had to ask my Son to call Asher’s colleague again, he called the person to inquire if it was the old GRA Police station or not.
“The Person said I should come to the Surveillance office, upstairs at Old GRA Police station. I waited that Tuesday till 7 pm, and one of the Policewomen told me to come back on Wednesday.
The following day, Mr. Dan, his wife, and others were taken to the NNPC office. He said he was informed that no one knew from which floor his son allegedly fell. Mr. Dan questioned the officials, asking for more details, and requested to see the location where his son supposedly fell. He noted that there were no visible signs of a fall in the area.
“They couldn’t even show me his clothes. When I reached the first floor, I saw his slippers and some clothes. I took pictures of them. But when I asked to see my son’s body, the police wouldn’t allow it.
“The Police took us back and took us to the mortuary. The Police did not allow me to see my son in the mortuary” Mr. Dan lamented.
The family is now demanding justice, questioning how their son’s body could be taken to the mortuary without informing them first.
Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has called for an in-depth investigation into the incident to uncover what truly happened.
Wiro criticized the company for not reporting the matter to the Central Police Station (CPS), which has jurisdiction over the area, and urged the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to intervene and transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, which handles culpable homicide investigations.
The family and rights groups are now awaiting further action from the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, has confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was reported to the Old GRA Police Division and investigation is ongoing.
