Tiemkenfa Francis Osvwo, a suspect in the October 1, 2010 bomb blast in Abuja, has died at the Kuje Prison where he was detained.
His lawyer, Festus Keyamo said Osvwo, also known as General Gbokos, died yesterday after an illness. He added that prior to Osvwo’s death series of complaints were made about the maltreatment meted out to the accused persons by the Nigerian Government.
Keyamo claimed the illness started after the cell where he was kept alongside Charles Okah and the others standing trial for the attack was fumigated with a strange substance on January 8, 2012.
He disclosed that authorities were alerted when the deceased began urinating and defecating on himself in the prison but pleas by his solicitors requesting that he be treated properly went unheeded.
Citing the events of February 21when Osvwo collapsed during court proceeding, Keyamo alleged that the authorities wanted the accused dead, adding that an order by the court that he be medically attended to by the prison authorities was ignored.
According to Keyamo, the other accused persons still in Kuje Prisons were facing similar conditions like that which claimed Osvwo’s life.
“At this juncture, we are constrained to state that we find it extremely inequitable that virtually all the suspects linked to the Boko Haram bombings have been enjoying bail while our clients, the alleged masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bombings (still presumed innocent) continue to suffer indignities in custody,” he said.
“We therefore respectfully call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the call for their bail and the Nigerian Government to facilitate the release of the other suspects in custody with a view to attending to their deteriorating health before they die in custody.”
The government and authorities of the Nigeria Prison Service are yet to respond to Keyamo's allegations.
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