By Nkiruka Nnorom
The Federal Government has demanded a thorough investigation and compensation for the family of Usama Murtala, a Nigerian trader who died shortly after his release from detention in Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in an update on her X Handle after meeting with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Kalilou Traore.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu had earlier in the week raised the issue of Usama Murtala and five other Nigerian youths, all in their 20s, who were arrested and detained in Abidjan without charge or trial.
One of them, Usama Murtala, died days after his release from MACA prison following an unattended illness in detention.
The remaining five were later released following diplomatic interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan.
In the X post, the Minister, who summoned Côte d’Ivoire’s envoy, demanded an explanation for the Ivorian authorities’ failure to notify the Nigerian Embassy of the arrests.
She argued that early intervention would have saved Usama’s life.
“We requested to know why the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire was not informed of their arrest and detention, which delayed the necessary diplomatic intervention that might have saved the life of the deceased,” she stated.
She added that the traders were on a trading trip, could not communicate due to language barriers, and had no access to legal representation in the French-speaking country.
“We called for a full-scale investigation and transparent probe by the Ivorian government into this matter. We are also demanding compensation for the family of Usama Murtala, who died shortly after his release due to the harsh prison conditions and inadequate healthcare whilst in custody,” she stated.
The FG also demanded the return of seized phones, money and other property not returned after release and an undertaking that Ivorian authorities would promptly notify the Nigerian Embassy of any future arrest of Nigerians.
She assured the government would continue to push for justice in the matter for the families concerned.
Ambassador Traore, according to the Minister, expressed “most profound apologies and condolences to the family of the deceased Nigerian and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for this unfortunate incident,” describing it as “indeed regrettable.”
He pledged to convey Nigeria’s concerns and demands to authorities in Abidjan “as soon as possible.”
