Lawyers Demand Probe Into Benue Teen’s Death

A coalition of lawyers and human rights activists has demanded an independent investigation into the controversial death of 16-year-old Atsar Sesugh in Makurdi, Benue State.

They also called for far-reaching reforms in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During a peaceful protest at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the group under the aegis of the Coalition of Lawyers and Human Rights Activists for Justice, also demanded that the Benue State director of the EFCC, Mr Effa Imo Okim, be removed.

On behalf of the group, the co-convener, Barr. Theophilous Benjamin Ojonugwa, called for the immediate constitution of a credible and independent panel of inquiry comprising respected members of the judiciary to handle the matter.

He insisted that the investigation must be transparent, time-bound and granted unrestricted access to all relevant records, witnesses and forensic evidence, especially one Mr Stanley Osazee, an investigative officer who allegedly carried out the shooting on the instruction of Okim.

Ojonugwa also demanded that the EFCC operative who allegedly pulled the trigger, alongside the superior officer who authorised the operation, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

He argued that allowing such cases to go unpunished would only encourage further abuses.

The coalition further urged the anti-graft agency to immediately review and reform its operational tactics, particularly during anti-cybercrime raids.

According to him, “the Commission must uphold the constitutional rights of Nigerians, including the right to life, dignity, fair hearing and freedom from torture or extrajudicial harm.

“Future operations must be intelligence-driven, warrant-based and carried out with professionalism and restraint.

“We call on the Federal Government and the EFCC to take full responsibility for the welfare of Sesugh’s family by providing adequate compensation and psychological support for his mother and siblings.

“Nigeria cannot continue to lose its promising young citizens to reckless and unlawful actions by security agencies,” Ojonugwa said.

He added that the EFCC must rise above the allegations levelled against it and recommit itself to fighting economic crimes within the bounds of the law and with respect for human dignity.

The coalition also appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly to intervene decisively.

“Enough is enough. Justice for Sesugh Atser must not be delayed or denied,” he declared.

Responding to the protesters, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, rejected allegations of extrajudicial killing, insisting that the Commission acted within the law.

Oyewale said Sesugh was among 16 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by operatives of the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on 26 April 2026 and was detained following a valid remand order issued by a magistrate’s court.

He explained that on 5 May 2026, three suspects sought permission to use the lavatory, were allowed to do so, but then escaped through the roof.

According to him, the Commission immediately launched a search and, about two weeks later, received intelligence that one of the escapees had been sighted in Makurdi.

He said operatives deployed to arrest the suspect came under gunfire immediately after stepping out of their vehicle.

“In self-defence, they responded as they are trained to do. During the exchange, the suspect fled, and our operatives initially believed he had escaped again,” Oyewale said.

He stated that while leaving the scene, the operatives found the suspect lying in a pool of blood and immediately rushed him to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he later died despite receiving medical attention.

Oyewale added that the police subsequently issued a report confirming that the deceased was a fugitive who had escaped from lawful custody.

He dismissed claims that the EFCC ignored the rule of law or took the law into its own hands.

“Everything that happened was lawful. There was no extrajudicial killing, and the EFCC did not take the law into its own hands,” he said.