National Assembly vows to unravel circumstances that led to the death of Itunu Babalola in Ivory Coast prison

Weeks after the death of Itunu Babalola who died after being incarcerated in an Ivory Coast prison under strange circumstances, the House of Representatives has vowed to unravel circumstances surrounding her death.

The House while reiterating that all the actions necessary to straight out the case will be encouraged, added that these may include a thorough coroners’ inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding Babalola’s death.

According to Nigerian Tribune, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, made the position of the House known during a visit to the parents of the deceased in Ibadan.

According to her, the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria will have to ensure that the wrongful incarceration that resulted in the death of a Nigerian citizen was investigated urgently, adding that the House of Representatives was always committed to the safety of Nigerians in the Diaspora and would not rest until it got justice for Babalola even in death.

Recall that the late Babalola also known as Becky Paul, was reported to have been sentenced for an offence she did not commit in the Francophone country.

Akande-Sadipe emphasised that the Committee on Diaspora was not satisfied with the result of the autopsy carried out in Cote d’Ivoire, adding that “a thorough investigation on the matter must still be carried out”.

She, therefore, appealed to the Nigerian Government not to let Babalola’s death be swept under the carpet, adding that “Itunu will be vindicated and her name will be cleared. It is not going to stop here, I promise”.

Speaking during the visit, the victim’s father, Emmanuel Babalola, in tears, said the family could only have comfort through a thorough investigation into the cause of their daughter’s death, adding that through an independent toxicologist, the cause of her death could be established.

Thanking Akande-Sadipe for her kind gesture, Mr Babalola reiterated that his daughter was victimised in prison and appealed to the Nigerian Government to wade into the matter urgently.