Osamuyi Aikpitanyi: still lying cold one year after.

By Ahaoma Kanu.

A similar scenario played out in Spain last year involving a Nigerian deportee, Osamuyi Aikpitanhi, who was physically gagged, beaten and injected by Spanish security operatives on June 9, 2007 and close to a year, nothing constructive has been done by the Nigerian government even as the Spanish court has identified the identity of the killers.

The attitude of the Nigerian government that ordered an investigation into the matter after the House of Representatives initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Citizen Osamuyi, has not effected any change in policy or otherwise as the deceased is still lying cold at a mortuary in Spain.

The parents, Mr. Jacob and Vero Aikpitanhi are not really happy not to have seen the corpse of their son who had his young life snuffed from him by the overzealous security operatives.

Nigerians at home and in Diaspora under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians Worldwide (CNW) staged a protest which made the government react to their demonstration. The CNW went ahead and got the Spanish Government and Iberia Airline sued to court in the United States of America (USA) over the death of Osamuyi but It was gathered from reliable sources that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are yet to respond to the report sent to it by the lawyer handling the case in the US, Mr. Kayode Oladele.

Instead the Ministry in a letter dated January 25^th, 2008, informed the family of the decision of the Spanish Government has agreed to convey the corpse of Osamuyi to Nigeria as requested by the family at a date that would be communicated to them. The letter which was signed on behalf of the minister by Mrs. W.A Adedeji also stated that the ministry is still talking to the Spanish authorities on issues on compensation.

But the Aikpitanyi family in response to the letter replied the ministry that they were not satisfied with the way and manner with which the Federal Government was treating the issue.

The family cried out that they were surprised at the haste for the Spanish authorities to repatriate the corpse after their visit to the family on the 4^th of January where the Spanish authorities were told categorically that the corpse will be accepted after justice has taken place in order not to influence or affect the investigations and the case which is in court.

FG has forgotten about Osamuyi--- Chester Aikpitanhi

On June 9^th last year, a Nigerian deportee, Osamuyi Aikpitanhi was killed aboard an Iberia Airline bound for Lagos. Nigerian both at home and in  Diaspora under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians Worldwide protested in more than 40 countries across the world against the injustice and the Federal Government ordered an investigation into the incident. One year after, the Akpitanhi family are yet to get justice. In this chat with AHAOMA KAN,   Chester Akpitanhi, the deceased brother who just arrived from Spain alleges that the FG has forgotten about Osamuyi whose corpse is still lying in a mortuary in Spain.

I am just seeing you in Nigeria and in the next 48 hours it will be exactly one year since the infamous murder of Osamuyi Aikpitanhi by Spanish authorities took place, can you tell me how it had been this past 12 months?

Yes, I have a lot of things to say about my younger brother, it is now almost one year since my brother died and nothing has been done about it; the corpse is still lying cold in the mortuary in Alicante. The government of Spain has forgotten about him; nobody talks about him again. Even the federal government of Nigeria seems to have lost interest in the matter, nobody is talking about him again and I think that we have to do something to wake up this matter again. As far as the corpse is still lying down there in the morgue at Alicante, we have to do something.

Now you are in Nigeria and coincidentally the 9th of June marked one year since this young man was killed, I will like to know what is happening in Spain, can you feed us with what the Spanish authorities are doing or have done concerning the issue?

Yes, we went to court in a city called Eche almost five times and made statements.  The police men that were involved were arraigned in court. Our lawyer is telling us that we have to wait for the court and since then we are still waiting. Nobody including the court is calling up the matter; no burial plans. I think the government of Spain has pushed the matter aside and it is very unfortunate of country that prides itself as a civilized country with good justice system.

The Spanish government contacted you when this incident happened freshly, since the court hearing started, how many times have they called on you or any member of your family concerning the issue?

No way, they have never contacted me but they do contact my lawyer.

What is the name of your lawyer?

Pedro Hosse. He is the one who knows everything concerning the matter. I had to come down to Nigeria to give my family the whole details of everything that is happening since it is a year now and the corpse is still lying down in the mortuary.  

Early this year the Spanish ambassador came to visit your family on the 4^th of January and we gathered that they made some offers to the family of repatriating the corpse down, were you aware of that visit?

No, nobody informed me about it. The only letter I got related to getting his corpse back was sent to me by the Nigerian embassy in Spain. They told me that the corpse will soon be sent to Nigeria but since then nothing has been heard about the issue.

According to the report put up by family lawyer, Mr. Kayode Oladele who sued Iberia Airlines and the Spanish Government the US, it was a mentioned that the Spanish Authorities are known for not prosecuting their officials involved in any case of human right abuse or death of immigrants from their developing countries from especially Africa, how true is this assertion?

They said so but the problem is that the law in Spain, according to my lawyer is giving the suspects the benefit of the doubt since they denied that they were not responsible for his death and they have been suspended from their job pending the time justice is    delivered. I then asked my lawyer when likely the judgement will come and he said that he didn’t know. I asked him if Osamuyi will be there in the morgue till the end of the case and he said no. I asked him when can we bury and he said until the Spanish Government gets the authority to bury him in Spain from the Nigerian Government But I told him that that will never happen. I asked him to contact me when ever that happens because we have a family back home and we have cultures.

I am aware that the Federal Government (FG) sent a delegation to Spain and they sat and sat with their Spanish counterparts how this issue can be resolved, what effort is your lawyer making to make sure this matter is given accelerated hearing?

When we went to court in December, my lawyer was complaining to me that he does not like the way and manner the court session is being delayed over the issue. I asked him if he can do anything about the delay but he said he can’t do anything until the judge calls him.

It was reported that the Spanish government offered some money for the repatriation of the corpse, how true is this?

Yes I was informed they did offer that 10 000 Euro for the burial of Osamuyi but we are after justice and not money.

What is the Nigeria community in Spain doing to make sure that the justice they demanded for through protests and demonstrations is gotten?

The Nigeria community tried and I am talking about the whole Nigerians in Spain and Nigeria; the Nigerian embassy and the Federal Government, they all tried when this incident happened but I think everybody is tired and waiting for the date that justice will be done.

The perception in the minds of many Nigerians is that the Spanish government made some sort of offer to the family in Spain in that they sealed a deal with you and your brother in Spain to pipe down on the matter and be taken care of, how true is this allegation?

No they never made any such move.

Did they try to entice you with residency permit or citizenship?

No, they never did. I have lived in Spain for more than 20 years now. I have not even been called by the Spanish authorities over this matter in any way.

Some few months back, we were informed that the minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe was in Spain on official visit, were you informed that he was coming and was his visit had any connection with the Osamuyi matter?

No, I was aware he was coming to Spain but we received no call from the Nigerian embassy.

How many times has the Nigeria embassy contacted you based on this case?

About three times.

The international community were informed properly about the death of Osamuyi when a group of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria under the umbrella called Concerned Nigerians Worldwide (CNW) had a protest against the manner Osamuyi died in many parts of the world, how do you feel towards the attitude of the Nigerian government towards the handling of the issue so far?

Let me tell you, when my brother was murdered, the FG showed interest and we were impressed but some few months later nobody is talking about it again and the corpse is still lying g in the mortuary.

How do you feel about that lukewarm attitude?

I feel very bitter and disappointed.

Why are you in Nigeria concerning this matter?

I came back to Nigeria to explain to my parents the state of affairs concerning the death of Osamuyi; I am the eldest son and have a duty to explain to my people what is happening since Osamuyi’s death. I have never come home since and I am here to ask questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs what is happening.

You were in the fore front of all these; you were everywhere in the internet, TV shows, radio and all that, have you been in any way victimized about your call for justice by the Spanish authorities?

No, not in any way.

You just came into the country some few days ago to see your parents, what is their health condition like?

Everybody here is very sad and bitter. I have shown them the pictures and the recording of the corpse while lying down in the morgue in Alicante and they cried again and again, we don’t know what to do again.

How has this whole incident affected you physically, psychologically and otherwise?

It really affected me in many ways and as far as the corpse is still lying down in the mortuary, the pain is still there; he is supposed to have been buried by now. The FG is supposed to do something about it.

Last year when the incident happened the Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Angel Losada said that Osamuyi was wanted for rape, murder and drug related offences, can you react to that allegation now?

Those are all lies; Osamuyi is not a criminal, he never murdered anybody and never robbed anybody. Osamuyi was working decently; he was selling newspaper. He will wake up in the money and set out to sell newspaper.

What kind of person was Osamuyi?

He was a very jovial fellow. When he came over to Spain from Nigeria, he was with me and lived in my house. He stayed with me for almost one year before deciding to stay on his own because I was married. He was doing his business. I never received any information from the police or anybody that Osamuyi was involved in crime.

Iberia Airline was the air carrier in which this unfortunate incident happened, did they in anyway sympathize with the family over what happened?

Not at all; I have never received a call or letter or any sms from Iberia Airline.

What was the pulse of the average Spaniard on this matter?

Let me tell you, a foreigner is not like a citizen. Whatever way we want to look at it. For them to come out to apologize to the family of the deceased, they didn’t want to do it because we are blacks from Africa. Think about it; you arrested somebody, took him to the cell and wanted to deport him and he died of suffocation in your hands. You tied him up in an inhuman way. The autopsy showed it and it was very horrible. I saw the marks on his hands and neck region; I have video images of his corpse and also have some pictures of him being removed from the Iberia plane into an ambulance. It is very sad. 

You have lived in Spain for close to 20 years; will you describe Spain as a racist country?

I think so and going by what they are doing now it is very evident they are racist.

The Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Umar Y’Adua took the matter seriously when this incident happened as well as the National Assembly but all of a sudden they kind of piped low on the matter since it was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Chief Ojo Maduekwe, how do you feel about this attitude?

The FG is supposed to be in charge of this case. If the international community is to respect Nigerians then the FG has to wake up to their responsibilities. I know maybe Osamuyi is the son of one poor man from Edo State, he is a Nigerian citizen and deserves justice. The FG has to do something, it is very sad that Osamuyi who die3d under the circumstances he did is still lying in the mortuary and the FG are pretending that all is well. It is indeed very sad.

One year after what do you miss most about Osamuyi?

We still miss him; we think about him everyday and we still cry about him. I still find myself crying about him. That is why I am in Nigeria today. He is my brother and it is so sad that one day the corpse is still in the mortuary. We have to bury our brother and get justice for this great injustice.

What is it you are asking for in this whole matter?

Justice, Justice and Justice.

What appeal are you making towards this end to the FG, Edo State government and the Spanish government?

We want to have our brother buried and we want justice to prevail. They should come and help us. We are still in pain, it is like a scar that has refused to heal; it is still a very painful wound that only justice will heal. If an American or a British citizen was killed, do you think their government will be sleeping over the issue? We need justice and we will get it.

Robot  # 1 | 17.06.2008 01:00

Osamuyi Aikpitanyi: still lying cold one year after. By Ahaoma Kanu....Read the full article.

ikechukwu  # 2 | 17.06.2008 04:26

This is really sad. However,when I said that this case amplifies a fact of our inability or incapability of taking ourselves as important beings. When I said it would be foolhardy to expect a Nigerian Government that gives no hoot about Nigerians at home to come and bother about Nigerians in diaspora.When I said it would be ridiculous to expect Foreign Government to give us a respect we know that our own Government would never give us. I was called uncharitable names by fellows who accused me and others with similar views of 'self hate' among other names. Sadly the truth, though quite unfortunate in this instance, has come out to prove us right which is even more regrettable. We cant run away from our actions on ourselves and hope or even expect others to give us what we are unwilling to give ourselves. I really pray that Osamuyi's soul still rest in peace. Someone, somewhere should be told that BA(British Airways) is still making good business in Nigeria despite the initial gragra. Infact the person should be told that BA is sending thank you messages to some government officials(important ones for that matter) that have continued to patronise them. A trip to their office in Lagos will convince some people. My take is simple, there is a larger picture that we should look at.A picture that if worked on,will make it quite difficult for Nigerians to be disgraced, demonised, beating up, beheaded, etc by any other foreign nation nomatter the offence. It is not a difficult picture to work on if the will is there.Cheers

WaleAkin  # 3 | 17.06.2008 04:40

Ahaoma, Thanks for this piece............My concern though is on the health of Mr Aikpitanhi Snr, how is he fairing now? I can see him in the picture and he looks much better than when we saw him last year. Pls give our due regards to him and his Wife. May God console them and put a lasting smile on their faces, Amen!!

Eja  # 4 | 17.06.2008 05:06

Yes. Thanks Ahaoma. We need to follow through on this.

Anambra Movement  # 5 | 17.06.2008 05:22

Sorry for your loss but we have to start holding our (s)elected representatives accountable. We need change and our future is in our hands....Protest to your councillor, local government chairman, house members.... All the Edo representatives should take this up and not the family..but since most of them are so incompetent... Nigerians, we need change otherwise nothing good will happen...

bennie  # 6 | 17.06.2008 05:32

Thanks Ahaoma, This article is a sad reminder (although one thinks about the rottenness of Nigeria every day) that the Nigerian project is a failure. Our 'leaders' and politicians do not believe in Nigeria and her people hence their non chanlant and disgraceful attitude. God's arm is not so short that he cannot provide and his ears are not so far that he cannot hear. He will judge at the appointed time. :cry::cry::cry: Have a great day. Bennie

Olamide  # 7 | 17.06.2008 10:03

Nigeria is unique in the sense that we all express our 'shock' and 'outrage' when anything happens and move on. The issue of the death of the poor young man has been consigned to the dust bin of our collective amnesia until another outrage occurred. It is a shame. I am sure of what would have happened if Osamuyi was spanish (Even an indicted criminal) and he was murdered in a Nigerian plane. We would probably still be paying the reparations and still trying to normalize relations with Spain by now because they would have asked our Ambassador to return to Nigeria meanwhile for 'consultations' while the issue is being resolved. Mr Ojo Maduekwe of 'Citizen diplomacy' fame, where art thou?

Firma  # 8 | 17.06.2008 10:22

Thanks for the reminder. I send my painful feeling to the family, really painful to observe the delay (justice denied) - a manoeuvre peculiar to authoritarian system... Dear villagers, that there is mute indifference there, mute indifference anywhere... that coldness everywhere = a fear stricken hold up.... Some know why silence and immobility had prevailed…. Those wretched victims in the course of our call for justice, like those Northern Ireland visa seekers who witnessed the repressive response, they really know the cost and causes of the mute indifference. Although those visas seekers were not part of the Concerned Nigerians campaigners, who for the first time in our history said that the time had came for us to rule our own lives irrespective of what our leaders are up to… What about the detained or those victims whose groans and cries were never heard nor were even uttered... But the history was documented and the history will surely redress itself, while we continue timidly waiting for a justice that is blind-folded with dark sunglasses and holding a scale which is uneven and determined, I rest my case.

sdoa  # 9 | 17.06.2008 12:10

I have followed the mournful thread of the discussion. The question is what next? Spain is at the forefront of racism... a short while ago I saw Samue Eto'o of Barcelona being interviewed on the CNN about his experience in Spain. We should not expect anything from the government or people of Spain or any foreing nation for that matter. Besides, the human race is fundamentally flawed in basic depravities - one of which is racism. Let's sermonize about how we discriminate against ourselves in Nigeria. I'm not excusing racism, but I'm saying this is a fundamental human depravity. See how we profile ourselves even in NIgeria into settlers and indigenes (a mindless and atavistic clustering). Our people live all there lives in one part of Nigeria, with no affinity to the so called state of origin forced down their throat, yet they're legally outclassified as non-indigenes. Except for probably Spain and few other extremely xenophobic societies, most countires would grant you full citizenship rights (even if nominally) after a few years. We have not offered our people any citizenship right, and we showed our unwillingness to do same, why should foreigners do it? Let's bemoan our fate! But let's not just bemoan, and shed tears, let us use every sad memento of the failure of our estate to continue to do something because of our future. Again I ask how can we use this sad incident... please what can we do to begin to demand citizenship rights for every Nigerian?

dele26  # 10 | 17.06.2008 13:57

It’s very unfortunate that Nigeria does not have a government or true representatives but Vampires that subsist on the blood of the living Nigerian masses. Can the people ever be proud of a country that truncates their aspirations, enslave their mortal existence, and lead them to their untimely grave? The heartless thieving Nigerian politicians have made the name ‘Nigeria’ a quintessence of shame in its entirety.

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