A 21-year-old lady, Esther Isaac, reportedly died at the Agete Hotel in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory on February 25, 2022.
Speaking with PUNCH, the deceased’s brother, Emmanuel, accused the hotel management of covering up by saying that their CCTV was faulty the day Esther lodged in the facility.
He said, “We live in Calabar and I tried calling her two numbers, left her a message on Whatsapp, but she did not respond, which was unusual. I kept calling. Later, a police officer, Inspector Dajunma, picked up the call and told me my sister was dead.
“He asked me to come down to their division in Abuja. I was in Abuja the following day and the police officers tried to work things out, but the hotel owner shouted at me.
“They asked if I had anyone and I told them that it was myself and my late sister; we lost our parents a long time ago. They took advantage of my situation.
“Inspector Dajunma said maybe the case should be transferred to another place, so I left for Calabar. I came back to the station to ask for an update, but the police officers shouted at me.
“One of them insulted me; he said my sister died a shameful death and I should forget about getting justice. He said my sister came for her business while the hotel was doing their business. I was humiliated at the station and was not allowed to speak a word.
“I demanded to see the CCTV footage; they said their CCTV was bad on that day. They said she came to the hotel with someone without showing me any evidence. I think the hotel management knows more than they are making us believe,” he added.
The FCT Director of Behind Bar Initiative, Oby Ofili, said the group had taken up the matter.
She said, “We have taken up the case and we will try our best to ensure justice is served.
“We have decided to take the matter to a higher police authority through a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, requesting a transfer of the case. We hope they reach out to us as soon as possible.”
When the hotel was contacted on Tuesday, a lady, who identified herself as Ene, said the manager was not on seat. She said he would be back by 4pm.
The phone calls and two text messages sent were not replied to as of press time, PUNCH reports.
The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the incident said that investigation was ongoing.
She, however, denied the allegation levelled against the police by the deceased’s brother.
Adeh said, “The allegation against us is wrong and unfair. The case is, however, under investigation.”