The Federal Government has demanded a full autopsy on the sudden death of a Nigerian Itunu Babalola who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Côte d’Ivoire for alleged human trafficking.
Ms Babalola was jailed after accusing an Ivorian of burglary in 2019.
The accused, who happens to be related to an Ivorian policeman, asked her to drop the case, but she insisted on getting justice.
Babalola allegedly used a different name to file charges. The case of robbery which she filed soon turned into a case of human trafficking against her.
The Nigerian mission in Cote D’Ivoire, supported by the Nigerian community, got her a lawyer, paid part payment of legal fees for the lawyer to appeal the judgment, while at the same time seeking diplomatic intervention.
In the process of appeal, Babalola reportedly developed complications from diabetes and was rushed to the hospital. The fees for the treatment was paid by the Nigerian mission through the lawyer whose service was engaged by the mission. Babalola, however, died after a few days of admission at the hospital.
Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa described Babalola’s death as a tragic blow, at a time the Nigerian mission in Côte d’Ivoire had paid and engaged the services of a lawyer to handle the appeal.
“Unfortunately, Itunnu died abruptly while all hands were on deck to seek both legal and diplomatic intervention for her by Nigeria,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said in a statement on Monday by the commission’s spokesman Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
“Her death, will, however, not stop the appeal in court in order to vindicate her of the charges against her,” the NIDCOM boss assured.
