Mother of the late Priscilla Ocheme, the 28-year-old medical practitioner who died under controversial circumstances on September 22, 2024 in Abuja, has vowed to get justice.
FCT Police Command, in a statement dated October 22 signed by its spokesperson Josephine Adeh, said the reports that Ocheme was killed by her male friend Ekhosuehi Elvis alias Richard at his residence in Lugbe were false.
According to the police its investigation found that she died in a road accident at Amala Moore junction in Pyakasa.
The police said she had a minor misunderstanding with her mother which led her to leave her family home in the Karu area and go to Ekhosuehi’s residence to cool off, adding that the accident happened as she was heading home later that day.
“The accident was witnessed by two laborers, JERRY AMOS and MOSES BALA, who were working nearby at a brick-producing factory. They rushed her to Pyakasa Health Centre for medical attention, after which she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre Jabi, accompanied by two police detectives. Upon arrival at the medical center, she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement added.
Police also said they interrogated Ekhosuehi on September 24, adding that he was a well-known family friend.
But Ocheme’s family are alleging foul play.
Ocheme’s 56-year-old mother told BBC Pidgin that she never had a misunderstanding with her daughter.
She said Ocheme’s father died when she was four years old and that the deceased was not outgoing and never passed the night outside the house except when she was in school.
Ocheme studied public health in Madonna University but left after only two years and later graduated from Adeleke University, Ede with a B.Sc degree in public health in July 2019. She was her parents’ fourth child.
“That fateful Sunday she cooked hot rice, very hot rice for us, I went to church early so I left her at home. I had no idea she even went to see her friend,” her mother said.
Ocheme’s elder sister said the deceased communicated with her that Sunday at 8:28pm asking for N10,000.
The family alleged that the police have refused to produce the ‘Good Samaritans’ that they say brought her body to the police station from the said accident scene nor the other people involved in the accident.
They also alleged that the police have released Ekhosuehi despite being the prime suspect.
The family said they have petitioned the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to intervene.
“I am crying, I am begging the whole world to help me because for me to take care of my children to make sure that they are educated and then close to her breakthrough, somebody will now eliminate my child like that. In fact, to the last of my blood I will continue to seek justice for my daughter,” the teary mother said.
BBC Pidgin said it tried to reach the male friend Ocheme went to see before her death for comments.
