The family of a deceased engineer, Chukwunweike Okammelu, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, demanding a fresh investigation into the disappearance of his corpse from a teaching hospital mortuary in Anambra State.
The family, through its lawyer, Joseph Offor, urged the police chief to order a supplementary probe, citing alleged gaps and inconsistencies in an earlier investigation by the Force Intelligence Response Team.
Okammelu’s corpse reportedly disappeared from the mortuary of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, in January, prompting the family to report the incident to the police.
In the petition, copied to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, Offor said the investigation report acknowledged possible criminal conspiracy and institutional failures but recommended the prosecution of only the mortician, Clement Ogbonna.
The lawyer argued that the probe failed to adequately address the roles of other possible suspects, the hospital’s administrative responsibility and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
He said the family had prepared a detailed memorandum highlighting the alleged shortcomings and requested a comprehensive review to ensure that all those responsible were held accountable.
“Our client firmly believes that a thorough and comprehensive investigation will ensure that the truth is fully uncovered and that justice is done to all parties without fear or favour,” Offor said.
However, the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesman, Ikenganyia Anthony, said the command was not handling the case, adding that it remained with the investigating team in Abuja.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Maureen Umeakuewulu, said the incident occurred before she assumed office on March 13. She added that, to the best of her knowledge, the police were handling the matter, although she could not confirm whether the case had been taken to court.
