The family of the late Sgt. Mariam Sule, who allegedly collapsed and later died following a quarrel with her spouse and his suspected lover, has alleged biased police investigation.
The family was reacting to the police report that investigation so far into the death did not implicate the deceased’s husband (names withheld).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, Sule, a Lagos resident, died while being rushed to a hospital, after the alleged collapse.
The family also accused Sule’s husband and his alleged lover of complicity in the death of the 45-year-old police sergeant which occurred on November 20 at 10.00p.m.
NAN reports that Sule served at the Igbologun Police Station, Snake Island, Lagos, until her death at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos State.
NAN gathered that the policewoman had three children for another man (also late), and remarried three years ago.
The second marriage did not produce a child.
According to a family member, Mr Kelvin Ndu, trouble started when the strange woman, whose name was not disclosed, brought food to the deceased’s husband at his home while the deceased was at home.
Ndu, who told NAN that the family learnt of Sule’s death on November 21 from her first son, Mr Gideon Adaji, said that the couple quarrelled over the `strange’ woman.
He added that the deceased fought with the woman, quarrelled with her husband and collapsed shortly after.
“The husband claimed he rushed in and found his wife on the floor. He started pouring water on her and took her to the Ifako General Hospital.
“He said that, at the hospital, he was told that the woman was brought in dead and that he decided to take the corpse home and called the deceased’s son, Gideon (about 25 years old) informing him of his mother’s death at about 1. 00. a.m.’’
According to him, through the efforts of the husband’s family, the woman who brought the food was arrested after the husband’s arrest.
He said that the case was later transferred to the State CID, Panti, for further investigation.
He, however, said that the family was shocked to discover that the husband was released four days after when an autopsy had yet to be carried out on the deceased.
Ndu alleged compromise by the CID in the investigation and called for the intervention of state Commissioner of Police, Mr Edgal Imohimi.
“As we speak, neither the husband nor any of his family members have visited our family to commiserate with us and possibly plan for her burial.
“The husband paid the bride price on Mariam. He thinks he does not owe us explanation of what happened to our sister. He certainly has an explanation for us.
“The autopsy is out from LASUTH. We are carrying her corpse home on Saturday, December 22, and she will be buried on Sunday at Eguma in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue,” he said.
Also speaking, Gideon said that he was not happy that his mother’s husband had yet to visit her family to plan for her burial.
“Only her husband knows what happened to my mother,’’ Gideon said.
Sule’s landlord, Mr Moses Sholake, said that he saw the deceased on that fateful day as she was running after the `strange’ woman.
The landlord said the husband rushed to him shortly after, saying that his wife fainted.
“I rushed to their room. I met the woman on the floor. I raised her hand and discovered she was weak. I told him to call the police but he said he would take her to a hospital.
“One thing I know is that the husband and wife were peaceful. Only God knows what happened to the policewoman.
“The devil just wants to scatter the family,’’ Sholake said.
When NAN visited the deceased’s residence, the bedroom and living room were locked.
When contacted, Mr Salami Bolaji, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the state Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, said that investigation so far did not implicate the husband.
Bolaji said that autopsy report revealed that the woman died of hypertension and related diseases.
He told NAN that her husband was released following the findings.
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