Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The family of a 40-year-old man, Taofeek Azeez, has called for an investigation into his death in police custody in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
Azeez was arrested by local vigilantes on suspicion of stealing cocoa seeds and handed over to the police after being taken to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye.
The Osun State Police Command confirmed that Azeez died at a police outpost a few hours after he was detained, describing the incident as suicide. However, his family has questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.
A video obtained by Saturday PUNCH showed Azeez being subjected to corporal punishment and paraded while partially unclothed as he was taken to the palace.
His brother, Fatai Alimi, called on the state Commissioner of Police and the state government to investigate the incident, alleging possible complicity by the police.
“On Tuesday morning, he left the house for the farm, and it was later that day we learnt that he had been taken to the police station for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds.
“Before that, he was taken to the palace, where he was subjected to corporal punishment and stripped naked.
“It was surprising to hear that he had killed himself inside the cell; his death looks suspicious.
“Someone whose clothes had been torn was said to have been wearing clothes when his neck was found dangling, so we urge the police and the state government to intervene.
“He was a father of six children with three wives, and he also left behind an aged mother,” Alimi said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said community members apprehended Azeez over the alleged theft before taking him to the monarch, who directed that he be handed over to the police.
“The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds,” Ojelabi told journalists in Osogbo.
“After arresting him, they took him to the monarch of the town, and the king instructed that they should hand him over to the police. He was taken to the police outpost, where he was questioned and subsequently detained,” he added.
Ojelabi said an officer discovered Azeez during a routine check a few hours after his detention.
“A few hours later, when the officer went to check on him in the cell, he had committed suicide,” the police spokesperson stated.
He said the officer in charge of the cell would be interrogated as part of the investigation, while confirming that the family had been contacted.
“We are taking necessary steps to interrogate the officer in question, but our investigation so far shows that it is a case of suicide,” Ojelabi added.
