….as Police remains reluctant to pay mortuary bill
By Ebriku John Friday
The Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade-led government has paid N2.2 million for toxicology over late 200 level student of Mass communication Department of Cross River State University of Technology, CRUTECH, Joy Odama, as new evidence to prove the cause of death.
This was disclosed yesterday, by the Director General, Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba, who spoke on behalf of the State Government, said the Governor and people of the State were bent to pursue the case to any level for justice to prevail.
Also Read: Murder Of Joy Odama: Cross River Lawmakers Vow To Probe Alhaji Adamu’s Alleged Involvement
He said: “As a responsible government we are not leaving any stone unturned in the gruesome murder of our daughter, Late Joy Odama, who was a 200 level student in Mass Communication Department of Cross River State University, CRUTEC, by one Alhaji Usman Adamu, in Abuja.
“The Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has paid N2.2million for a fresh toxicology test and on that we have given the National Hospital the go ahead to conduct it.
“This will be the only new evidence that would help in the prosecution of the matter, which the Cross River State Government through the Attorney General of the State has set in motion to pursue the case even to the Supreme Court for justice to prevail and the mastermind and his accomplices are brought to book, even though they enjoy protection from a foremost security agency.”
He said the toxicology result would be presented to the media after the experts have concluded their medical investigation.
However, according to him the Nigeria Police who has been handling the matter was invited for the toxicology exercise along with the National Hospital not showing any commitment to go on with the case.
Even footing the mortuary Bill of N300, 000 for about five months the Police has been reluctant to pay for it.
Meanwhile, as earlier stated by the Governor at a recent briefing that in addition to the brief paid to the legal firm of Kanu Agabi and the State Attorney General, he has also released another sum of N10 million to give a befitting burial to Joy Odama and to also ensure that her siblings were properly catered for, which corpse of late Joy Odama would be conveyed next Tuesday from Abuja and be interred on Wednesday at Yala Local Government Area.