Aborisade argued that under Nigerian laws, no violent death must go “uninvestigated” hence the provision for an inquest to investigate deaths which seem violent and unnatural. “Nigeria is a country governed by laws. Under the laws of Nigeria, no violent death must go uninvestigated in order to unravel the real cause of death. The law that provides for an inquest into violent and unnatural deaths is the Coroners Law, CAP 36, Laws of Oyo State, 2000,” Aborisade pointed out.
THE family of the late Richard Gbadebo, 21-year-old student of the University of Ibadan who was killed in an industrial accident at an Ibdan-based soap-making factory, Henkel Nigeria Ltd has written to an Ibadan Chief Magistrate requesting for an inquest to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of their son on the night of July 27, 2020.
In a letter dated 3rd September 2020, addressed to an Ibadan Chief Magistrate by human rights lawyer, Femi Aborisade, on behalf of the family, the Gbadebos stated that up till today, the circumstances leading to the death of Richard Gbadebo remain a mystery as the company has not rendered any explanation.
Aborisade, Managing Partner, Abope Chambers, in the letter entitled: “Application for Inquest into the Violent and/or Unnatural Death of Richard Gbadebo Within the Premises of Henkel Nigeria Limited and Expand Global Industries Limited, Plot 9, Oluyole Industrial Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State at About 27th or 28th July 2020,” stated that at about 7am on 28th July 2020, the late Richard’s parents received the news of their son’s sudden death at the premises of Henkel Nigeria Ltd and Expand Global Industries Ltd located at Plot 9, Oluyole Industrial Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He stated further that the failure of the company owners to provide any explanations on the circumstances of the death has led to the speculation that “Richard Gbadebo was caught by the machine he was operating.”
Aborisade stated: “The parents have demanded the CCTV footage that covers the operation of the machine in order to understand what really transpired, when precisely it happened, who were those with him when the tragic death occurred, what went wrong, who did what, who failed to do what. Was Richard Gbadebo violently attacked, violently and mischievously captured and thrown into the machine? The mysterious death remains shrouded in mystery. No explanation as to the real cause and circumstances of death is known.”
Aborisade argued that under Nigerian laws, no violent death must go “uninvestigated” hence the provision for an inquest to investigate deaths which seem violent and unnatural. “Nigeria is a country governed by laws. Under the laws of Nigeria, no violent death must go uninvestigated in order to unravel the real cause of death. The law that provides for an inquest into violent and unnatural deaths is the Coroners Law, CAP 36, Laws of Oyo State, 2000,” Aborisade pointed out.
He further stated: “An autopsy has been conducted and the final report of autopsy is being awaited by the family. But, by nature, the autopsy report would not empirically establish the circumstances of death.
“Pursuant to the Coroners Law, Section 3(1) of which vests jurisdiction in “any Magistrate” within the jurisdiction where the violent death occurred to hold inquests, and Section 4 of the same Law which brings violent or unnatural death whose cause is unknown within circumstances requiring an inquest, we humbly request Your Worship, on behalf of the grieving family of Richard Gbadebo, the deceased, Richard Gbadebo, whose blood is crying to high heavens for justice and the society whose norms and values have been desecrated, to use Your Worship’s good offices to cause a coroner’s inquest to be conducted into the cause of the violent and unnatural death of Richard Gbadebo.”
