BENIN CITY-Residents of Benin City have expressed concern over the manner of police investigation and the alleged release from custody the prime suspect in the death of a pastor’s wife, one Mrs Faith Amayo in Uromi town the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
It will be recalled that four pastors of a popular Pentecostal church, including the husband of the deceased woman, one Mr Kingsley Amayo, were reportedly arrested by investigators at the Zone 5 police headquarters in Benin City after they allegedly gave conflicting accounts of the death, last month.
It was gathered that the three other pastors had earlier be released before pastor Amayo who police claimed is their prime suspect, had his bail granted, about a fortnight ago.
The residents, amongst whom are clergymen, her bereaved family members, traditionalists and legal professionals called on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5 which is handling the investigation, Mr Kolawole Sodipo to do the needful to ensure that justice prevails.
Describing the release as questionable and unprofessional, bishop Bernard Dele and Mr Oshioke Timi stated that the outcome of investigation ought to have been made known to the deceased family members or a court for possible trial of suspects.
They advised investigators to display high level of professionalism to guard against accusation of financial inducement.
Elder brother of the deceased Engineer Fidelis Evbomwan said the family was expecting the autopsy report conducted two weeks ago by police pathologist when they learnt that all the suspects have been released.
He insisted that the prime suspect, Pastor Kingsley Amayo has not proved a case of accident he said claimed the life of his sister.
Attempt to obtain comment from Pastor Kingsley Amayo failed, but his elder brother Chief Ohen-Iso had earlier stated that “since my brother has been detained, I do not have the interest to talk to you”.
Contacted, the Zonal Public Relations Officer DSP Emeka Iheanacho said “we are investigating”.
DSP Iheanacho had earlier stated that “the matter was reported at the Edo State Command where initially they were investigating a fatal motor accident…, family of the late woman, wife of the pastor Mrs Faith Amayo now initiated a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police alleging a foul play.
“So the petition before AIG is from the family of the deceased where they suspected that the husband most have used the woman for ritual”.
