The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters resolved on Tuesday to bring the killer of Oluwadamilola Oloruntoba, son of ace sports broadcaster Ms. Aisha Falode, to book.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who chairs the committee, said during a meeting with Falode on yesterday that members had put machinery in motion on the issue and would not relent until justice is done.
Oluwadamilola was allegedly murdered in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE).
At the meeting were Falode’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo, and Dr. Joe Odumakin of the Women Arise Initiative.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said the committee would collaborate with the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House to ensure justice.
Ms. Falode was in tears as she narrated the incident. She said her son was murdered by the son of a wealthy Saudi businessman, adding that the UAE authorities were trying to cover up the murder.
Her words: “My son, whom we believe was murdered in Dubai, was thrown down from the 17th floor of his apartment at Manchester Towers in Dubai. When I got the call, I went there and requested to see the case file of how he died.
“It took us three months to get their response. So I went again with my lawyer and we met the people who gave verbal evidence. From what we gathered, he did not die a natural death, and his death is being covered up.
“I came here to get justice as a mother. I am pleading with the Nigerian government to help me get justice for my son and prevent another Nigerian family from experiencing such again.”
Dabiri-Erewa said the parliament was trying its best to protect Nigerians abroad, stating that “This committee, in pursuit of this matter, tabled a motion on March 19 on your son and other Nigerians, who are victims of such evil. If our children are not safe in Nigeria and are not safe abroad, then where is the hope?
“For your son, we have obtained some documents from the Nigerian High Commission in Dubai and we must follow up to ensure that those responsible are brought to book. I assure you that this matter will not be swept under the carpet.”
Keyamo, giving an account of his investigation in the case, said the UAE Police was shielding an Arab boy called Faizal, whose father had a substantial investment in Dubai.
He said the boy is suspected of murdering Aishat’s son. “I am only concerned about the facts of the case. We need to briefly recount the facts. The mother took her son to a school in Dubai. There is a certain Arab boy called Faizal, whose father has a substantial investment in Dubai.
“It is a fact that the boy had been getting away with many criminal conducts. On that fateful day, he was seen walking Toba’s girlfriend out of his (Toba’s) home, saying she had no business being there. He (Faizal), according to evidence, does not live there.
“Thereafter, Toba and two of his friends (a Nigerian and a South African) went to the club and they met the same boy, who was seen making gestures at them. Later that night, they came back and met the same boy and the white girl on the 17th floor in front of Toba’s apartment with the girl crying.
“According to the witnesses, they started arguing the moment Toba went into his apartment, only for the Arab boy and the white girl to come back into the room some minutes later saying Toba fell. Thy said there was blood on Faizal’s shirt and an injury on his knuckle.
“The boy gave a confessional statement, telling the boys that they should not worry, that he would only spend 25 years in jail and come out. Police took all of them, separated them and charged the others to court with drinking, except Faizal, who was asked to go home.”
Keyamo expressed surprise that the police report cleared the Arab boy, adding that he had petitioned the Office of the Public Prosecutor, asking them to remove the case from that police station, adding: “There is no room for private prosecution in Dubai.”
Dr. Odumakin told the committee that her organisation suspected fraud by the UAE police, saying: “That is why we sent a letter to the committee, as well as the President, who minuted on it and sent it to the Foreign Affairs Minister. We can, by that approach, get justice from all angles.
“We want to send a message that our green passport is respected and we demand to know why private prosecution is not allowed. It is up to our government to take it up.”
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