The lawyer of Ekosuehi Elvis, a man in police custody over the death of his female friend, Priscilla Ocheme, has accused the police of subjecting his client to inhumane treatment.
Priscilla, who reportedly left her family home in Karu after a misunderstanding with her widowed mother, was said to have died in a road accident on September 24, 2024.
In a statement on October 23, the Federal Capital Territory Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, noted that preliminary investigations ruled out foul play, pointing instead to a traffic incident.
Elvis was initially released after police investigations reportedly exonerated him.
However, his lawyer, Tony Eseigbe, disclosed that Elvis was rearrested three weeks ago by the Special Investigation Unit and has since been subjected to harsh conditions in detention.
Eseigbe alleged that Elvis was being forced to sleep on the floor in his cell and had developed pneumonia due to the poor conditions.
“The family has been taking food to him, but he is being maltreated. If they have any evidence against him, they should charge him to court instead of subjecting him to such treatment,” the lawyer said.
He criticised the police for disregarding findings by the FCT homicide department, which reportedly cleared Elvis of any involvement in Priscilla’s death.
“The homicide department investigated the case thoroughly, conducted an autopsy, and found no link between Elvis and Priscilla’s death. Despite this, the Special Investigation Unit took over the case without a case file or justification,” Eseigbe added.
The lawyer reiterated that Priscilla’s death occurred outside Elvis’s residence, adding that the autopsy findings confirmed that her death resulted from a road traffic accident.
“The girl didn’t die in the guy’s house. They kept this young man for over a month. They conducted their investigations, and nobody interrupted. At the end of the day, the FCT police issued a report saying there was nothing linking the young man to the death of that lady, and that he was not culpable. This was the homicide department of the FCT command,” he said.
He called on the police to either charge Elvis to court if they had fresh evidence or release him immediately.
Reacting, the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police were committed to an unbiased investigation into the matter, noting that the Inspector General had ordered the Special Investigation Unit to take over the case.
Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to the thorough investigation of the recent tragic case involving the death of Priscilla Ocheme, a young woman who went missing after visiting her boyfriend, one Ekhousuehi Elvis, at his home in Goshen Estate, Pyakasa, FCT, on September 22, 2024.”
Adejobi stated that Elvis was a primary suspect and was invited to give his account of the incident, adding that, instead of complying, Elvis went to another police formation in Lagos State to file a counter-petition.
“Priscilla’s lifeless body was subsequently discovered, raising significant concerns. The case was promptly reported to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General, Zone 7 Abuja, and Elvis, as a primary suspect, was invited to provide his account of the events leading to Priscilla’s sudden disappearance.
“However, instead of reporting as requested, Elvis proceeded to another police formation in Lagos State to file a counter-petition. In light of this development, and to maintain clarity and avoid duplication in the ongoing investigations, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the IGP-Special Investigation Unit to take over the case, ensuring that it receives the attention and sensitivity it requires.”
“The primary suspect in the investigation, Ekhousuehi Elvis, and other suspects arrested in connection with the case are presently in police custody, where they are being interrogated.”
Adejobi denied that Elvis and other suspects in custody were being mistreated.
He said, “It is important to clarify that, contrary to the rumours that have been circulating, Elvis or any of the suspects is not experiencing any form of mistreatment. The IGP emphasises the importance of justice and thoroughness in this investigation. The Special Investigation Unit is equipped to handle cases of this nature and will investigate thoroughly to uncover the truth.”