The family of Chukwunweike Okammelu, an engineer whose corpse allegedly disappeared from the mortuary of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku, Awka, Anambra State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, demanding a more comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The family, through its lawyer, Joseph Offor, is seeking a fresh review of the police investigation, insisting that important questions surrounding the disappearance of the deceased’s body remain unanswered.
In the petition addressed to the IGP, with a copy sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, the lawyer expressed concerns over what he described as significant omissions and inconsistencies in the investigation report.
According to Offor, the family had earlier reported the disappearance to the police but became dissatisfied with the handling of the case and the conclusions reached by the investigating team.
He disclosed that the IGP had previously assigned the Intelligence Response Team to investigate the matter and that the team had completed its investigation and submitted a report.
However, the family’s lawyer argued that the findings did not adequately address all the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
Offor said the report reportedly identified possible criminal conspiracy and systemic failures but recommended the prosecution of only the mortician, identified as Clement Ogbonna.
He maintained that other individuals whose actions or responsibilities might have contributed to the incident were not sufficiently investigated.
The lawyer also raised concerns about alleged administrative and operational negligence, the chain of custody of the corpse, the involvement of other possible suspects and the hospital’s institutional responsibility.
“Our client has accordingly prepared a detailed analysis identifying these gaps and respectfully demonstrating why he believes the investigation requires further review,” Offor stated.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to order a supplementary investigation that would examine the unresolved issues and ensure that every relevant aspect of the case was properly addressed.
The lawyer added that the family wanted the circumstances surrounding the disappearance fully established and anyone found culpable held accountable in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it was not directly investigating the matter, explaining that the case remained with the investigative team in Abuja.
The command’s spokesperson, Ikenganyia Anthony, said all matters relating to the investigation were being handled by the team responsible for the case.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Maureen Umeakuewulu, said the incident occurred before she assumed office on March 13.
She explained that, to the best of her knowledge, the police were handling the matter, although she could not confirm whether the case had been formally charged to court.
The disappearance of the engineer’s corpse has left the family seeking answers, with the latest petition calling for a more thorough investigation into what happened at the hospital’s mortuary.
