The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has known as for an intensive investigation into the death of a Nigerian, Chimezie Odueze, allegedly tortured by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Cape Town.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Consul General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, mentioned Mr Odueze died on 9 October in the Parklands space of Cape Town.
The consulate mentioned reviews that Mr Odueze was tortured by police officers earlier than his death had precipitated shock and ache to his household, the Nigerian neighborhood and Nigeria’s two diplomatic missions in South Africa.
According to the assertion, Mr Odueze was arrested at a procuring centre on suspicion of drug possession and brought to his dwelling for a search. The consulate mentioned no medication had been discovered on the residence, however the Nigerian nationwide was allegedly tortured to death.
The consulate described the incident as one too many, saying the recurring reviews of extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa raised critical issues concerning the security of Nigerians and different overseas nationals in the nation.
It additionally warned in opposition to the stereotyping of Nigerians, saying some components had been disregarding South African authorized processes and wrongfully generalising Nigerians in the nation.
The consulate known as on South African authorities to conduct an intensive investigation and be certain that these accountable had been dropped at justice.
“No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice,” Ms Okey-Uche mentioned in the assertion, insisting that suspects have to be given a good listening to in court docket and that nobody ought to take the regulation into their very own palms.
The consulate additionally urged Nigerians in South Africa to stay calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic assaults and threats in opposition to foreigners.
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It prolonged its condolences to Mr Odueze’s household and warranted Nigerians that it could proceed to press for his or her welfare and honest therapy in South Africa.
PREMIUM TIMES reviews that about 1,640 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa for the reason that latest wave of xenophobia started in April. A batch of 33 Nigerians was repatriated in August and one other 105 in September.
At least 5 Nigerians have been killed for the reason that newest spherical of violence started.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the newest incident in July. The sufferer, Chika Simon, died throughout an encounter with the South African Police Service (SAPS)
The Nigerian consulate mentioned he died beneath questionable circumstances.
This paper additionally reported earlier deaths. These are: Amaramiro Emmanuel, Ekpenyong Andrew, Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe.
The Nigerian authorities has demanded an intensive investigation into the death of Nigerians killed in South Africa. The investigations into these instances are nonetheless pending, and no arrests have been made.
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