The family of Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyeomereneche, an Air Force cadet officer who died under suspicious circumstances at Hotel Royal Damgrate in Umuahia, Abia State on April 9, 2024, has voiced strong concerns about the handling of the case. Despite the release of an autopsy report that disputes initial claims of drowning, the family feels their efforts to seek justice have been ignored.
On September 10, SaharaReporters disclosed that the autopsy found Onyeomereneche’s death was due to “intracranial haematoma” and “skull fracture at occipital and right parietal region,” indicating he was struck by a hard object rather than drowning. This finding contradicts the earlier police conclusion that his death was accidental.
The deceased’s father, Ephraim Onyeomereneche, has criticized the authorities for their inaction. He raised concerns about the death of the hotel manager shortly after his son’s demise and questioned why the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has not produced a key suspect, Valentine Obeji, despite a formal request.
Ephraim Onyeomereneche remarked, “The autopsy confirms my son did not drown but was murdered. We need to know who is responsible and why. What is happening with the investigation and the hotel where he was killed?”
In response to inquiries, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, advised that any questions about the investigation’s progress should be submitted in a formal letter, as he would not provide further details via text.
When contacted, Wing Commander Gidado Idris of Chidiebere’s NDA Dalet Battalion stated that the NDA’s involvement was limited since the incident occurred outside the school premises. He noted, “The NDA cannot be held responsible for incidents that occur off-campus, similar to how a private university wouldn’t be held accountable for events at another location.”
The Director of Administration at the NDA, Commodore Ndanusa, confirmed that the NDA Commandant had not yet received an official briefing on the autopsy results, although they were aware of its findings. He assured, “The NDA funded the autopsy and remains committed to uncovering the truth.”
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