…denies attacking accused’s family
The family of the late Douglas Osunde of Benin City, Edo State, has cried out to relevant authorities seeking justice over the sudden death of their son.
Douglas Osunde was said to have died while working for one Blessing Uwadiae as a building apprentice in Benin City.
The family also denied attacking members of the Uwadiae family of Ugo Niyekhoronmwon Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state over the death of Douglas.
Father of the deceased, Tony Osunde, who blamed the builder for the death of his son, accused him of being negligent in his work which, according to him, led to a pillar falling on his son.
“I am the father of the late Douglas who was an apprentice to one Blessing Uwadiae, a builder in Benin City. It is true that my son is dead,” Mr. Osunde said.
“According to his boss then, while they were working in the site, one of the pillars in the building fell on Douglas, leading to him being rushed to the hospital, before he eventually died.”
The Uwadiae family had earlier alleged that each time their family members visited Benin City; they faced attacks from people they believed were from Osunde’s family over the death of Douglas.
Speaking with newsmen in Benin City recently, a member of the family, Uwadiae Edorodion, claimed that his family members were attacked again recently. He alleged that one Mr Osadebamwen, his younger brother, was severely injured by hoodlums he suspected to be from their accusers’ family, adding that the victim was receiving treatment at a hospital in Benin City.
But reacting to the allegations, Tony Osunde said while the family believes that Blessing was to blame for the death of their son, “we want to categorically state here that we have never attacked his family members over the death of our son”.
Osunde said upon confirmation of the death of his son, he immediately notified the police of the incident.
He said he began to suspect foul play when his son’s boss, whom he said went to the bank to get money for the treatment, did not return to the hospital after the confirmation that his son was dead.
“This act of Douglas’ boss triggered our reactions because we don’t believe that the pillar fell naturally on our son,” he alleged.
Osunde demanded justice for his late son, whom he said left behind a son and a wife, calling on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute their suspect over the death of Douglas.
“I am calling for justice for my son who painfully left behind a son and wife. We will continue to demand justice for his soul and until this is achieved, we will not rest,” he said.
